Valkyries Player Calls Out Caitlin Clark After Heated Exchange

May 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball while Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images&period;

Valkyries Player Calls Out Caitlin Clark After Heated Exchange

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 23, 2026 10:06 AM ET

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There seems to be legitimate beef between Golden State Valkyries forward Tiffany Hayes and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

Clark, who was ruled out earlier this week due to a back injury, had 22 points and nine assists in her return to the hardwood on Friday. The former No. 1 pick had no issue getting physical, receiving both a flagrant and technical foul from the officials.

After hitting a deep 3-pointer over Hayes in the third quarter, Clark got in her face and made it clear that she wasn't going to back down.

Hayes, meanwhile, waited until her postgame press conference to take a shot at the face of the WNBA.

As Hayes was walking over to the podium Friday night, she suggested that WNBA refs refuse to call fouls on Clark.

"They're never going to start calling the fouls on her," Hayes said. "If they did, she would never get to play the game."

This seems a bit rich considering Clark picked up five personal fouls on Friday night.

Tip, before she even sat down, was complaining “they’re never going to start calling the fouls on her. If they did, she would never get to play the game.”

Obvious who she was trying to imply, it’s just ironic considering how the Valks play & how one-sided the officiating was pic.twitter.com/BDfeUmBW51
— allison (@_girltalk) May 23, 2026

Fever fans fire back at Hayes.

Unsurprisingly, Indiana fans ripped Hayes for her postgame remarks.

"She’s mad because they lost and she got 22 points dropped on her. She’s also wrong. They called five fouls on Caitlin, including a flagrant," one fan said.

"Clark has literal scratches all over her arms, lol crazy talk here. Can't wait for Thursday," a second fan wrote.

"She had 5 fouls and you guys wouldn't drive on her, kind of poor play on Valks part," another fan argued.

"5 fouls and a flagrant," another fan declared. "These people are delusional."

The Fever and Valkyries will meet again on May 28. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET.

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

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