Caitlin Clark given technical foul after TV footage spotted moment which WNBA viewers claim was a ‘dirty play’
By Jim Sheridan,
2024-07-15WNBA star Caitlin Clark has been hit with a fourth technical foul of the season during the Indiana Fever’s latest win.
The Fever rookie, 22, appeared to catch Minnesota Lynx’s Cecilia Zandalasini in the face with a stray arm during Sunday’s game in Minneapolis.
Clark finished with 17 points, six assists, and three rebounds at a packed-out Target Center.
The No. 1 overall pick struggled for rhythm as she went 3 of 14 through the opening three quarters.
And a frustrated Clark appeared to lash out at Zandalasini as was denied a fast break late in the third.
Clark broke upcourt following a turnover, with the Lynx forward grabbing her round the waist to halt her progress.
ESPN replays showed the former Iowa star impulsively throwing her arm out in response.
Clark’s hand appeared to graze Zandalasini’s face, with the officials initially penalizing the Lynx star for the hold.
Referees reviewed the play following a request from the Minnesota bench, hitting Clark with a technical foul.
Clark has now received her fourth technical this season.
She is three away from the seven that would trigger a one-game suspension.
Viewers were torn on whether Clark’s physical approach merited a technical foul.
“Yes. Can’t hit players in the face,” wrote one fan on X in response to the footage .
“She needs to learn to control her emotions,” commented another.
“It’s a dirty play,” added a third.
“No, the chick grabbed CC by the elbow, and in frustration, CC had a knee-jerk reaction … it wasn’t malicious … did the Lynx player get called for a foul?” countered a fourth.
“I don’t think Caitlin purposely made contact with Zandalasini’s face, but that contact is usually upgraded to a technical. Relax, Caitlin – this is a teachable moment,” said a fifth.
The Fever were able to see out the win at Target Center, their third in four matches.
Clark committed six turnovers but also passed Sue Bird for No. 2 in assists by a WNBA rookie.
The 22-year-old now has 139 turnovers in her rookie year, the most by a player in a single season in WNBA history, per ESPN .
Clark missed out on the Paris Olympics earlier this month after being overlooked for a place on the team .
“It gives you something to work for, something to dream for,” she told reporters when asked about the apparent snub on Sunday.
“Also, I feel like I can continue to get a lot better and for me, that’s my main focus and that’s what excites me the most going forward.”
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