Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after scoring a 3-pointer Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun, 88-71.

'Bad Officiating Is Bad Officiating': Caitlin Clark & Sophie Cunningham’s Altercation With Sun Players Pinned On Referees By Fever HC Stephanie White

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 12:02 PM ET

Caitlin Clark was right in the middle of the drama during the Indiana Fever’s 88–71 win over the Connecticut Sun—a game that featured more than just tough defense and big shots.

The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year was handed a technical foul after getting into it with Connecticut’s Jacy Sheldon and Marina Mabrey in a chippy third-quarter sequence. Sheldon was hit with a flagrant for poking Clark in the eye, while Mabrey shoved Clark to the floor during the heated exchange. Surprisingly, Mabrey was only given a technical and stayed in the game.

Fever head coach Stephanie White didn’t hold back after the win. Clearly frustrated by the officiating, White used her postgame platform to call out what she sees as a growing problem across the league.

“It’s a league-wide issue. Bad officiating is bad officiating,” White said. “Everyone is getting better—but the officials. We need to remedy that. I mean, we’ve heard every coach talk about it. I don’t know what the answer is.”

Clark, seated beside her coach, nodded in agreement.

Despite all the physicality and chaos, Clark led the way for Indiana with 20 points, while Kelsey Mitchell added 17 as the Fever notched their second straight win—just days after knocking off the previously unbeaten New York Liberty.

“Self-Destructively Jealous Of A Transformative Player”: Caitlin Clark’s Altercation With Sun Players Gets Knee-Jerk Reaction From Fox Reporter

While Caitlin Clark continues to shine, not everyone on the court seems thrilled about it. Fox News contributor Guy Benson jumped into the conversation Tuesday after Dave Portnoy posted a video of the altercation.

“They’re all so obviously and self-destructively jealous of a transformative player for their league and game itself,” Benson posted on X. “Really bad look, over and over.”

Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (3) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Sun, led by WNBA vet and former MVP Tina Charles, weren’t shy about physical play—especially Mabrey, who escalated tensions by shoving Clark to the ground after Sheldon’s flagrant.

Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Whether it’s envy, intensity, or just hard-nosed hoops, one thing’s clear: Caitlin Clark continues to draw headlines and heat wherever she goes—and the Fever are starting to rally behind her.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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