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Caitlin Clark Has To Hold Back Indiana Fever Coach

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 11:01 PM ET

The Indiana Fever got the Dallas Wings' best shot on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a hard-fought 81-80 loss at home.

The Fever did not get all the calls head coach Stephanie White thought they deserved in the physical, back-and-forth contest — and it was up to injured star Caitlin Clark to save her coach from making matters worse.

The 2025 WNBA All-Star captain missed her 20th regular season game with injury, but her assigned seat on the bench proved to be in the perfect location.

Watch Caitlin Clark Hold Back Indiana Fever Coach

In the second quarter, Clark intercepted White when she went to argue with the officials about a no-call on Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

The 23-year-old had to use both hands to restrain her coach, who quickly got the message and dropped her protest.

caitlin had to hold back coach from the ref lmfaooo pic.twitter.com/9apvtcKsxZ
— correlation (@nosyone4) August 13, 2025

The Bigger Picture: Avoiding More Technical Fouls

It was a wise decision for Clark to help White think twice about arguing the call. White already has four technical fouls this season, three short of a one-game suspension. Her next technical will result in a $400 fine, so she may owe Clark a nice dinner for her troubles.

Only two players in the WNBA have more technicals than White — Washington Mystics forward Shakira Austin (five) and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (seven).

Clark stopping her coach did not save Indiana from the loss on Tuesday, but the assist may matter down the line.

Fever Frustrated with Officiating in Loss to Dallas Wings

There were several possible reasons for White to be so visibly upset with the officials throughout the chippy contest.

Cunningham got a flagrant 1 foul early on Paige Bueckers
The Fever lost a challenge with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter while trailing 80-74, leaving them without a timeout on the final possession
There were 36 combined fouls called in the game

Sophie Cunningham commits a flagrant foul tonight on Paige Bueckers (reckless close-out) pic.twitter.com/2TvyR8vt1s
— Franklin the Pump Dot Fun Guy (@PumpDotFunGuy) August 12, 2025