Calls Mount for WNBA to Investigate Officiating Crews in Indiana Fever Games

It’s widely acknowledged that Caitlin Clark’s WNBA opponents may not be actively supporting her success. However, the level of physicality she’s encountering in her early career appears to be crossing a line.

She’s frequently not receiving the fouls that many argue she deserves, particularly on blatant infractions. This issue came to a head during Thursday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Seattle Storm, where both Clark and Victoria Vivians were hit with double technicals for a minor scuffle—a decision that drew criticism for its fairness.

Fans have also highlighted numerous occasions where Clark was clearly fouled while driving to the basket, yet no call was made. This pattern of officiating frustration reached a tipping point when Coach Christie Sides voiced her exasperation, resulting in a technical foul.

Consequently, calls are mounting for the WNBA to investigate the officiating crews overseeing Indiana Fever games.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Seattle Storm guard Victoria Vivians exchange words during Thursday’s game in Indianapolis. Seattle won, 103-88.

© Joe Timmerman/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Let’s take a look at some the complaints surrounding how officials are treating Caitlin Clark.

“Caitlin Clark got hacked right before this clip started and then is getting hugged/hit as she is going up. No foul. Fever coach gets a technical. I’ve never seen a super star get this type of treatment. She doesn’t even get normal calls,” Jordan Stocks said on X.

Caitlin Clark got hacked right before this clip started and then is getting hugged/hit as she is going up.

No foul. Fever coach gets a technical.

I’ve never seen a super star get this type of treatment. She doesn’t even get normal calls 🤦🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/7lGp5XaQO0

— Jordan Stocks (@StockTalks21) May 31, 2024

Refs called this a no foul? Because it’s Caitlin Clark 😂😭 shameless league pic.twitter.com/CPwtoP0ZvS

— LeLakers 2️⃣3️⃣👑 (@LeLaker) May 31, 2024

Should the WNBA investigate its officiating crews?

They have to protect the league’s stars, such as Clark. If an investigation fixes the issue, it’ll be worth it.

Christie Sides wanted Caitlin Clark to tone down her talking to officials, imploring her star to instead, “Let me get the technicals.”

On Thursday night, Sides did her part.

Sides earned a technical foul after she unloaded on the referees during the Fever’s blowout loss to the Storm following a no-call against Clark on a drive to the hoop that resulted in a missed shot.

The second-year head coach had to be held back by an assistant during the 103-88 loss.

Christie Sides has seen enough and erupts on the official after the no-call as Caitlin Clark attacked the basket.

This has built up over time — and was needed, IMO. pic.twitter.com/sUK58EwSFy

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) May 31, 2024

“We’ve just got to get better with the officiating. We’ve got to get some of those calls,” Sides said after the Fever dropped to 1-8. “I feel like they’re getting some calls that’s happening on our end as well, and I just don’t feel like we’re getting some of those.”

An early Clark storyline has involved how WNBA referees have called her games while she’s adjusted to the league. Opponents have been physical with her, including Breanna Stewart leveling her with a screen.

Even during Thursday’s game, Clark and Victoria Vivians each received a technical foul for jawing in each other’s faces after Clark started to find her stroke.

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Christie Sides received a technical foul in the third quarter.Joe Timmerman/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Clark is known for being vocal with the referees, even receiving a technical foul earlier this year for bluntly telling a referee, “It’s a f–king foul.”

Sides hoped to see less of that from her star, but even she couldn’t contain herself Thursday night after the referees swallowed the whistle on the third-quarter drive.

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Sides asked Clark earlier in the week to tone down her talking to officials.AP
Seattle’s Sami Whitcomb appeared to foul Clark multiple times during the play, both before and after the shot, but the referees let them play and Clark missed.

“That’s a foul,” announcer Debbie Antonelli said.

That’s when Sides lost her cool, screaming at the referee before earning a technical foul with the Fever trailing 71-52 with 2:28 remaining in the quarter.

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Caitlin Clark also was not pleased with the refereeing.Joe Timmerman/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Refs called this a no foul? Because it’s Caitlin Clark 😂😭 shameless league pic.twitter.com/CPwtoP0ZvS

— LeLakers 2️⃣3️⃣👑 (@LeLaker) May 31, 2024

The technical had little effect on the game, with the Storm winning easily.

Clark finished with 20 points on 6-of-17 shooting and appreciated her coach defending her.

“I feel like I’m getting hammered, I don’t know,” Clark said. “I appreciate Christie getting the tech too. I don’t know.”

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Source: USA Today