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Caitlin Clark Sends Clear Message on Heated Incident in Fever-Sun Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 12:18 AM ET

Caitlin Clark got called for a technical foul for the second straight game on Tuesday. The Indiana Fever guard was assessed with her first tech of the season in Saturday's win over the New York Liberty after arguing with a game official, which was followed by another technical foul in Tuesday's 88-71 victory over the Connecticut Sun.

Clark was involved in a heated moment in the third quarter against the Sun after the former Iowa superstar was poked in the eye by Connecticut guard Jacy Sheldon. Clark pushed Sheldon away, which drew a strong reaction from a couple of other Sun players.

Connecticut veteran Marina Mabrey shoved Clark to the ground, which forced the referees to quickly intervene. After the dust settled, Mabrey and Sun center Tina Charles were hit with technical fouls along with Clark, while Sheldon was assessed with a Flagrant foul.

In light of the incident, Clark was asked by reporters after the game if she felt that she had to "stand up more for yourself." The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year responded with a clear message.

"No, I mean, at the end of the day, I'm here to play basketball, and that's my job," Clark said. "That's what I'm going to do.

"I was excited. Honestly, the review took too long for me. I wanted to get playing basketball again, and that's exactly what I did in the rest of the third quarter. I made all three free throws, and it was a tough three. I was excited about a three."

Clark also gave credit to the home fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the "tremendous" support they had for the team in this one.

"I'm a passionate player, but at the end of the day, I'm here to play basketball," she continued. "That's what it is. My game's going to talk, and that's all that really matters.

"I love this game, and I'm going to give it everything I have. I think that's what competitors do. You just step right back up to the challenge."

“do you feel like you have to stand up more for yourself?”

caitlin: “at the end of the day i’m here to play basketball and that’s what i’m gonna do—my game’s gonna talk and that’s all that really matters. i love this game and i’m gonna give it everything i have.” pic.twitter.com/6GAxkmEQHu
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) June 18, 2025

Clark, indeed, let her game do the talking in this one. She finished with 20 points, one rebound, six assists, two steals and four triples in 29 minutes of action.

That's now back-to-back wins for the Fever, who were also able to book their spot in the championship game of the Commissioner's Cup, where they will get to face the defending champs, the Minnesota Lynx, on July 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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