The physical rivalry between the Indiana Fever and Mercury boiled over on Wednesday night, as Caitlin Clark exited the Phoenix Mercury Game with a back injury.
Fever coach Stephanie White didn't hold back after the 111-109 loss, slamming WNBA officials over two uncalled plays she thought endangered her franchise player.
Alyssa Thomas, Valeriane Ayayi Plays Against Clark Go Uncalled
The incidents that drew White's ire came early.
In the second quarter, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas appeared to push her fist into Clark's neck during a loose-ball scramble. Officials let it go. Then, minutes later, Phoenix forward Valeriane Ayayi closed into Clark's landing space on a 3-point attempt. Refs declined to upgrade the call to a flagrant foul.
"We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren't called," White said in a postgame press conference, calling the non-calls "utterly disrespectful."
Clark eventually left the court with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter and did not return.
Before exiting, the Fever star put up 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes of play. She has dealt with lingering back issues throughout the season, and this latest setback against the Mercury only adds to Indiana's roster concerns.
Last night's heated Fever vs Mercury battle followed a chaotic meeting between the teams just two days earlier. That clash featured six technical fouls and an ejection for Indiana forward Myisha Hines-Allen.
Where to Watch WNBA Games This Weekend
The Mercury travel to Toronto on Saturday at 2 PM ET, before Fever look to regroup against LA on Saturday at 8 PM ET. Both matches air live on CBS.
