The Indiana Fever's Tuesday night game against the Connecticut Sun was far from a peaceful affair, marked by a notable incident involving rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The contest, which saw the Fever advance to the Commissioner's Cup Final with an 88-71 victory, was overshadowed by a scuffle in the third quarter where Clark was both poked in the eye and shoved to the ground.
The sequence of events began with Clark being closely guarded by Sun guard Jacy Sheldon. As Clark attempted to back Sheldon down near the top of the key, Sheldon appeared to poke Clark in the eye. Understandably upset, Clark reacted by pushing Sheldon away. As Clark continued to express her displeasure, Sun guard Marina Mabrey then stepped in and shoved Clark from behind, sending her to the floor.
The incident sparked a brief but intense skirmish, with players from both the Fever and the Sun rushing in to separate their teammates. Clark, seemingly unharmed, returned to the bench while officials reviewed the situation to determine the appropriate course of action. While details regarding potential fines or suspensions have yet to be released, it is notable that Mabrey was not ejected from the game despite her involvement in the incident.
This wasn't the only physical play directed at Clark during the game. Earlier, Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa was called for a foul after making contact with Clark.
The Fever ultimately secured a decisive win, earning an additional $3,000 for their Commissioner's Cup beneficiary, the Peace Learning Center, bringing their total contribution to $13,000.
Beyond the physical altercations, Clark has been a focal point since entering the WNBA, both for her exceptional talent and the increased attention she brings to the league. After recovering from a quadriceps strain that sidelined her for several games in late May and early June, Clark has returned to the court and is looking to make an impact. In her return game against the New York Liberty on June 14th, Clark delivered a near triple-double performance, scoring 32 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out nine assists, leading the Fever to a 102-88 victory and handing the defending champion Liberty their first loss of the season.
The Fever's season has been one of adjustments and reintegration, with key players like Clark and Sophie Cunningham returning from injuries. Cunningham, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, also made her return on June 14th.
Looking ahead, the Indiana Fever, currently with a 6-5 record, are preparing for the Commissioner's Cup Final on July 1 against the Minnesota Lynx. The team also has the honor of hosting the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis in July.
