Caitlin Clark Rips WNBA Refs After 'Ridiculous' Technical Foul

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 22, 2026 11:46 PM ET

Caitlin Clark didn't hold back her opinion of WNBA referees after the Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night.

Unfortunately, Clark's 24 points and nine assists were overshadowed by a late-game scuffle centered around her and Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner. After they got tangled up in the paint, Clark was hit with a personal foul. She briefly walked away from this tense altercation before clapping her hands aggressively.

Clearly, the refs assigned to the Fever-Mercury game didn't appreciate Clark's gesture. They immediately gave her a technical foul for clapping in the Mercury's direction.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Mercury forwards DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas as well as Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and forward Myisha Hines-Allen were also assessed technical fouls.

During the Fever's postgame press conference, Clark went off about her fifth technical foul of the season.

"It's ridiculous, I got a technical for clapping," Clark told reporters. "We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game I'm going to be suspended for if I'm going to get technicals for clapping."

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) attempts to strip the ball from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77.© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images&period;

Inching closer to a suspension.

Once players hit their fourth technical foul of the season, they receive a $1,000 fine. It's not until their eighth technical foul that a one-game suspension is issued.

While fans of the Fever don't want to see Clark miss time, she's three technical fouls away from being suspended.

In the meantime, the WNBA is expected to issue a warning to Clark about her already having five technical fouls.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: