With Caitlin Clark at the helm, the Indiana Fever is on the verge of making the WNBA playoffs for the first time in seven years. However, with just two regular-season games remaining, the team faces the possibility of losing its star rookie due to her temper.
Clark had a rough start in the WNBA, as league veterans gave her a tough time during her first weeks as a pro. Despite the challenges, she gradually proved her value to the Fever.
But from the start, it became evident that her temper could be a bigger challenge for the former Iowa Hawkeyes star than any opponent’s defense. As the regular season nears its conclusion, Clark has accumulated six technical fouls, just one away from a one-game suspension.
She picked up her sixth technical in Friday night’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, putting her and the team in a tricky spot for the final games against the Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics.
Clark vs. the Referees
Clark’s sixth technical came in the first quarter against the Aces, after she hit the base of the basket with her hands in frustration following her second personal foul.
In the post-game press conference, Clark acknowledged she needs to better manage her emotions but also expressed frustration with the officiating. “I think I could’ve kept my emotions in check better, but really?” she said.
She explained her unsuccessful attempt to get the decision reversed, saying, “They’re never going to overturn that. It’s just part of the rules…It is what it is.”
Clark’s Temper
This isn’t the first time Clark has been penalized for the same outburst. She received her fifth technical on August 18 against the Seattle Storm for hitting the base of the basket as well.
The decision stirred controversy, with some calling the punishment excessive and others criticizing Clark’s immaturity.
Despite the situation, all is not lost for the Fever or Clark. If she can keep her composure against the Wings, her technical foul count will reset in the postseason, allowing her to play more freely against the Mystics. The question remains: can she manage it?
