Caitlin Clark lashed out at an opponent in the Indiana Fever’s latest back-to-back win against the Minnesota Lynx, as she lost her cool with a player after an intentional foul on a fast break.
Late in the third quarter of Sunday’s 81-74 win, Clark stole the ball near the Indiana basket before racing down the court in transition, only to be caught at midcourt by Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini.
Angry at the foul, the 21-year-old point guard slapped Zandalasini with her right hand after the whistle blew.
Zandalasini then put his hand over his right eye as Clark went to the free throw line as Lynx players around him disputed the call.
The referees eventually reviewed the play and instead of defending Clark, they sided with Zandalasini, giving the potential Rookie of the Year a technical foul.
Caitlin Clark received a technical foul after poking a Minnesota Lynx player in the eye, the Sun reported.
Lynx’s Cecilia Zandalasini had her hand covering her right eye after Clark poked her.
Clark scored 17 points against Minnesota and the Fever have won eight of their last 12 games.
However, Clark finished the game with 17 points to help the Fever win another road game after the team pulled off an upset over the Phoenix Mercury earlier this week.
In that game, Clark broke the Fever franchise record for most assists in a quarter (7) with 9 in the first.
Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston added 21 and 17 points, respectively, for the Fever against Minnesota.
Boston also grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds and blocked four Indy shots.
Indiana (11-14), which lost 10 of its first 13 games but has won eight of 12 since, has won consecutive games and three of its last four.
Alanna Smith had 18 points, eight rebounds and four steals despite being forced to sit out with foul trouble in the second half for Minnesota (16-8). Bridget Carleton matched her career high with five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier (foot) missed her fourth straight game.
Clark, who was 1 of 9 from beyond the arc in the first three quarters, hit a contested 3-pointer to open the fourth.