The Indiana Fever put an end to their two-game slump on Monday after defeating the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77. Caitlin Clark had a remarkable performance, recording 24 points, three rebounds and nine assists.
However, the main story of the showdown was not Clark's performance or the Fever getting back into the win column. Instead, much of the focus about the game has been on the five technical fouls issued early in the fourth quarter.
Clark and former Fever teammate DeWanna Bonner got tangled near the free-throw line, causing tempers to flare up. The Fever All-Star then received a tech for clapping, much to her shock.
Sophie Cunningham and Myisha Hines-Allen, as well as Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas, got involved in the exchange with Bonner. All four were issued offsetting technical fouls.
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After the game, Clark didn't hold back when asked about her technical foul, revealing that the officials said that the call was issued because she clapped. The Fever guard called it "ridiculous."
"I got a technical for clapping. We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I'm going to be suspended for if I'm gonna get technicals for clapping," Clark shared, per UnderdogWNBA.
"If any technical should be taken away, it should be that one, if it's truly for clapping, that's what they said they gave it to me for was for clapping. It's just ridiculous, so I don't understand it at all."
Will the WNBA Rescind Caitlin Clark's Technical?
The technical is now Clark's fifth of the season, which means she's due to pay a $1,000 fine. Moreover, per league rules, the WNBA will send her a warning letter as she nears the technical foul limit.
Players who reach eight technical fouls will not only receive a $1,500 fine, but will also be suspended for one game.
However, the WNBA can rescind the technical foul on Clark if they deem it shouldn't have been called. For what it's worth, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers was also hit with a technical foul earlier in the season for excessive clapping, but the call was rescinded.
Sure enough, Clark is hoping that the WNBA reviews the play so she can get a better explanation of why was it called and whether it was appropriate.
"I'm gonna play with emotion, I'm gonna play with passion, and if they're going to give me a technical foul for clapping, then so be it. That's their choice," Clark further stated postgame. "The league can come back and review that play, and I'd love to hear what they say of the reasoning of why I got the technical foul in that situation."
