Caitlin Clark was cleared to play on the second night of the Indiana Fever’s back-to-back after starring in Friday night’s thrilling win over the Seattle Storm. The Fever guard had initially been listed as probable because of the back injury the team has carefully managed throughout the season. She was ultimately given the green light to face the New York Liberty after her historic 45-point, 10-assist performance.
Clark’s availability came as a welcome surprise after she had previously sat out the second game of a back-to-back earlier this month. The Fever instead elected to keep her in the lineup as they looked to extend their winning streak.
However, Saturday’s game quickly took an emotional turn in the opening quarter.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
After a Liberty inbound play, Jonquel Jones set a screen on Clark, freeing Marine Johannès for a three-pointer. Clark immediately turned toward the officials, believing Jones had committed an illegal screen that should have been called a foul. She continued arguing the no-call and was assessed her sixth technical foul of the season.
The technical carries an automatic $1,000 fine under the WNBA’s disciplinary rules. Players are fined $500 for each of their first three technical fouls, $1,000 for technical fouls four through seven, and $1,500 for every technical foul thereafter. A player is also automatically suspended for one game upon receiving an eighth technical foul, with another one-game suspension following every two additional technical fouls.
Clark’s latest technical comes after a string of emotional moments this season. Her fifth technical foul was upheld by the league during Indiana’s win against the Phoenix Mercury in late June, resulting in a $1,000 fine.
Despite the early set back, Clark settled back into Saturday’s game, scoring her first point by converting a driving hook shot through contact from Jones before completing the three-point play at the free-throw line.
