Caitlin Clark got her first technical foul of the 2026 WNBA season in Wednesday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks. Seconds before the halftime whistle blew, Clark was visibly upset at one of the referees. The official initially let it go, but after Clark continued chirping at him, the referee called a technical foul on her.
The incident transpired from an offensive foul called on Clark a possession earlier. Here’s the video of Clark’s run-in with the referee:
Fever fans were infuriated at the referee’s decision to call the star for a tech and they let their frustrations out on X.
“That ref HATES her, I’m convinced. He’s so damn soft. What a joke!” one fan wrote.
“She was pulled first then atkins acted as if she got hit. So obvious. And ref off course bought it. But let that fire her up. I’m seeing those 3s coming up,” another said.
“She is getting mauled,” one fan added.
“you don’t call a foul, then give her the technical. here we go, another year of bullshit from these morons,” one fan said.
“The referees are back to their old way,” one fan wrote.
Caitlin Clark had two fouls at the half, along with her 11 points, two rebounds and six assists on 5 of 10 shots. She led the Fever to a 48-34 lead into the break as Indiana closed the second quarter on an 18-5 run.
Kelsey Mitchell took the technical free throw to start the third quarter.
Caitlin Clark struggles from 3-point range but gets off to a fast start vs. Sparks
Caitlin Clark had a solid start to the Fever-Sparks game on Wednesday. She scored seven points in the first two minutes. She added three assists in the first quarter alone. Clark scored four more in the second and dished three more assists before the half.
While Clark shot 5-for-10, none of her made shots came from 3-point range as she went 0-for-3. Clark stayed aggressive in getting to the rim, allowing her to maintain her efficiency. Clark’s dribble penetration was also one of the key reasons she was able to accumulate six assists at the half.
Caitlin Clark addresses technical assessed by ref
Caitlin Clark has been appreciative of the officiating in the 2026 season. She pointed that out in preseason. After getting her first tech, many would have assumed her opinion would have changed. However, that wasn’t the case. Clark doubled down on her praise of the referees despite the frequent calls. She also lauded them for handing her a tech.
“I think it’s gonna even out, I think the refs are doing a tremendous job,” Clark said. “I deserved the technical they gave me. But I think it’s great for the game. I think they’re gonna keep the hands off, they’re gonna make the play be called. Obviously, they called a lot of fouls tonight, but it’s gonna even out … they’re doing the right thing.”
The Fever won 87-78 despite the Sparks’ comeback comebac down the stretch. The refs called 48 fouls, sending LA to the free-throw line 25 times, while the Fever had 19 attempts. Caitlin Clark had five of those.
