Caitlin Clark on the WNBA’s 30th season
Caitlin Clark shares her thoughts on the WNBA’s growth over the last 30 years.
Sports Seriously
Caitlin Clark is one specific whistle away from being handed a one-game suspension by the WNBA.
The Indiana Fever superstar guard was assessed her seventh technical foul of the season July 22 after having a heated exchange with Connecticut Sun guard Saniya Rivers. The Fever attempted to appeal the technical, but the WNBA ruled it will not rescind it, a league source confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The incident with Rivers — which marked Clark’s second technical foul in as many games — drew the referee’s attention when Clark told the Sun guard “Look at the (expletive) scoreboard.” The Fever were leading by nearly 30 points.
“She said she was locking me up, so I said ‘scoreboard,’ and the ref didn’t like that,” Clark said with a laugh after that game. “I’m never going to back down … You continue to try and control your emotions the best you can. That intensity and that fire is what makes me me. But also, knowing my team needs me and finding a good balance of that. I don’t think I’m going to be playing with (the technicals) in the back of my head.”
And so, Clark has seven technical fouls on the season, putting her on thin ice. The next time she does something a referee deems worthy of a tech, Clark will be fined $1,500 and be forced to serve a one-game suspension.
Clark could also potentially be suspended more than once this season if she continues to accumulate technical fouls. WNBA rules stipulate after a player receives their eighth technical of the season, they will be fined $1,500 for every technical that follows and be suspended for every other technical that follows.
As a rookie, Clark flirted with reaching the previous limit of seven technicals and serving a one-game suspension, but finished the year with six. She was called for two last season in a sophomore campaign that was marred by nagging injuries.
Clark last played July 28 as she tallied 32 points and seven assists to power the Fever over the Seattle Storm in their first game back from the All-Star break. They are back in action Friday, July 31, at the Portland Fire.
The Fever (18-10) have 16 games remaining this regular season. Clark is averaging 21.5 points and 7.9 assists per game, ranking fourth in the WNBA in scoring and second in assists.