‘They’re Calling Them Anyway’ — Caitlin Clark Takes Issue With Refs’ Questionable Calls in Fever’s Roller-Coaster Showdown vs. Tempo
· Yahoo Sports
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever returned to WNBA action Friday with plenty of energy, but their first half against the Toronto Tempo came with an unwanted problem.
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Indiana kept getting whistled for fouls, and Clark was not exactly convinced every call was deserved. The Fever eventually pulled away for a 103-85 win at Coca-Cola Coliseum, but Clark’s halftime comments offered a glimpse into the frustration building on the court.
Caitlin Clark Voices Frustration as Fever Deal With Foul Trouble Against Toronto Tempo
Clark, fresh off her gold medal run with Team USA, wasted little time getting involved against Toronto. The Fever star helped lead Indiana’s offense, but the whistles became just as noticeable during a choppy opening half.
Indiana was called for 13 fouls in the first half. With the Fever holding a narrow 53-50 lead at halftime, Clark was asked about the team’s foul trouble during a sideline interview.
“We gotta stop fouling,” Clark replied bluntly. “Whether they’re fouls or not, they’re probably not, but they’re calling them anyway, so we gotta get our hands out.”
The comment summed up Clark’s frustration, as she pointed out that Indiana had to adjust because the calls were being made, whether the players agreed with them or not.
And considering the score at the break, it was hardly a minor issue. The Fever had only a three-point cushion, meaning every extra possession and free throw mattered.
Indiana eventually conceded 21 fouls, exactly the same number as Toronto. But the game changed dramatically after halftime, with the Fever finding more rhythm offensively and turning the close contest into an 18-point victory.
Clark was at the center of that turnaround. The Fever guard finished with 28 points, 14 assists, and 6 rebounds while going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. She also had to keep one eye on something beyond the scoreboard, as her technical-foul total remains a concern.
Clark currently has seven technicals. One more would trigger a one-game suspension, giving her very little room for error as the Fever tread the final stretch of the season.
The three-time All-Star has already acknowledged that she is being more deliberate about how she handles conversations with officials.
Clark told reporters Thursday that she has been speaking with referees before games because she does not want her foul struggles to cost her a game.
“I’m working with you, I’m working with you, like, let’s have a conversation,” Clark told reporters.
Kelsey Mitchell, meanwhile, provided the other major offensive punch from the Fever’s star backcourt. After winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for August, Mitchell continued her hot run by scoring 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting.
Her three-point shooting was especially impressive. Mitchell knocked down seven of her 11 attempts from beyond the arc, giving Toronto another problem to deal with as Indiana gradually pulled away.
Together, Clark and Mitchell accounted for 61 of the Fever’s 103 points, while Clark’s 14 assists helped keep the rest of the offense moving.
By the final buzzer, the Fever had turned a tense opening half into a comfortable 103-85 win. Clark still has to navigate the technical-foul situation, though, and with seven already on her record, every heated exchange with an official now carries a little more weight.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.