Caitlin Clark praised the referees for tight officiating during Thursday’s preseason game between the Indiana Fever and the Dallas Wings. The superstar guard made 13 trips to the free-throw line and converted 11 shots. She was also at the receiving end of a Flagrant 1 after Alanna Smith tripped her on a 3-point shot attempt.
Clark’s injury was one of the major concerns and talking points during and after the game, given her 13-game 2025 season. She dealt with various ailments to her quad, groin and ankle before the Fever pulled the plug once and for all on her availability. However, Clark avoided a potential ankle injury on the play where Smith fouled her. She praised the officials while summing up the incident, saying (via WNBA reporter Chloe Peterson):
“I thought the refs did a really good job tonight. Like, that’s kind of been their focus going into the season is, you know, I know there’s a community of people that really wanted them to start calling things and I thought they did a great job at that, honestly. …
“Yeah, it’s a preseason game so you’re probably gonna see more fouls called or expect the number to drive up. I don’t know how many fouls in total were called tonight. At times it can make the game choppy but I think overall to improve the product, the players aren’t getting held and it was both ways.”
In the 2025 season, the officiating was under severe scrutiny. Several players felt the referees allowed more physicality, which wasn’t good for the game and could have led to injuries. Caitlin Clark’s fans, in particular, have been critical of how the game has been called against the star guard, who is defended 94 feet by opposing players and constantly hip-checked.
Lynx coach Chery Reeve and star Napheesa Collier raised the issues on a larger scale after the forward went down with a grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her left ankle following a collision with Alyssa Thomas in the playoffs. Reeve blamed the referees for allowing that amount of physicality. Meanwhile, Collier called out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for dismissing officiating concerns in her exit interview after Minnesota’s season ended.
Caitlin Clark confirms she didn’t face significant injury
The sight of Caitlin Clark limping after a Flagrant foul from Alanna Smith had several Fever fans worried about the star’s health. However, Clark downplayed concerns about it. She said she fell hard on her knee cap and it had nothing to do with her ankle. Clark said she felt good and was in good spirits.
The Fever came close to upsetting the Aces in the semis despite Clark’s absence. They took that series to five games and lost the series decider in overtime. The team has the potential to win a title as early as this year if Clark remains healthy, as most of its core players returned, including Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham.
