The Indiana Fever’s common season bought off to a sluggish begin, however the group has lately turned issues round. Indiana defeated the hapless Washington Mystics on Wednesday to enhance to 6-10.
Star rookie Caitlin Clark completed the sport with 18 factors and 6 assists. She additionally recorded 4 steals, however debates over the sport’s officiating took heart stage.
Some observers took difficulty with the referees over their choice to not name a foul after a Mystics participant appeared to whack Clark as she was driving towards the basket and going for a layup.
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Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, argues a name with a referee throughout the second half of a sport in opposition to the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Photographs)
In the course of the play in query, Mystics heart Stefanie Dolson reached out in an obvious try to dam the shot. Nonetheless, Dolson made contact with Clark’s arm because the ball was knocked from Clark’s hand.
Some followers argued that Dolson dedicated a foul as a result of Clark’s layup try was negatively impacted by the contact.
“As a brand new watcher of the @WNBA it appears they’ve a extreme refereeing drawback. I feel even @WWE refs would have caught this one,” one fan wrote on X.
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“Badly missed name by @WNBA officers; this occurs too usually, to many gamers,” one other particular person steered.
Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, drives to the basket throughout the first half of a sport in opposition to the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Photographs)
Clark being on the receiving finish of onerous fouls has been broadly debated all through the WNBA season.
Final month, Clark addressed the extent of physicality she confronted within the early portion of her skilled basketball profession.
“I feel all people is bodily with me. They get away with issues that in all probability different individuals do not get away with,” Clark mentioned on Might 28 after the Fever dropped a sport to the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Fever-Sky matchup on June 1 was marred by a controversial foul. Sky guard Chennedy Carter made a basket late within the third quarter. She then shifted to protection and commenced guarding Clark, who was trying to get open to obtain an inbound go.
Clark by no means touched the ball as Carter delivered a shoulder verify, which knocked the Fever star to the hardwood. Referees instantly referred to as a foul on Carter.
Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, drives to the basket in opposition to Karlie Samuelson, #44 of the Washington Mystics, throughout a sport at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Photographs)
“Yeah, that’s simply not a basketball play,” Clark instructed ESPN on the finish of the third quarter. “However you recognize, I’ve gotta play by it, that’s what basketball is about at this degree. I believed we’ve been actually bodily, we’ve missed some bunnies across the rim, so hopefully these fall within the fourth.”
The following day, the WNBA decided that Carter’s foul in opposition to Clark was a flagrant-1 violation after reviewing the play.
This previous Saturday, Angel Reese was referred to as for a flagrant foul after she hit Clark within the head throughout a layup try. Reese mentioned the foul was a standard a part of basketball video games.
“A basketball play. It was a basketball play,” Reese mentioned. “I am unable to management the refs. They affected the sport clearly rather a lot tonight.”
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Clark reiterated Reese’s level after the sport, saying she believed it was merely a basketball play.
“Simply part of basketball. It’s what it’s. Simply making an attempt to make a play on the ball and get the block. It occurs,” Clark mentioned to reporters.
Clark is averaging 16.3 factors and 6.2 assists by 16 video games this season.
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