Caitlin Clark clashes with Team USA gold medalist Kahleah Copper in heated WNBA return for Fever rookie

By Jake Nisse and Jack Bezants

Published: | Updated:

Caitlin Clark clashed with Mercury guard and newly-minted gold medalist Kahleah Copper on Friday night after a thorough but fairly routine foul.

Copper, who scored 12 points for Team USA as they beat France in the Olympic final and won gold, was driving to the lane for Phoenix when she was met by Clark near the basket.

The Fever rookie wanted to make sure that Copper couldn't get a shot off and swiped down at her arm hard enough to make sure that that was the case.

However, Copper was angered by the play and levied some undisclosed words at her opponent, while Clark appeared to say back: 'It's just a foul.'

Copper was also held back by a teammate to ensure she didn't approach Clark but the situation never got physical.

Caitlin Clark fouled Kahleah Copper on a fast break as the Fever beat the Mercury on Friday

Caitlin Clark fouled Kahleah Copper on a fast break as the Fever beat the Mercury on Friday

Clark was a bit puzzled by Copper's angered reaction and appeared to say: 'It's just a foul'

Clark was a bit puzzled by Copper's angered reaction and appeared to say: 'It's just a foul'

It's been a bruising rookie season for Clark at times, as she was bodychecked by the Sky's Chennedy Carter in a now-infamous moment. Sky forward Angel Reese also caught Clark with a hard foul in another game, though Reese insisted afterwards that she was trying to make a play on the ball.

The Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell and Mercury’s Natasha Cloud also got in each other's faces at a different point in Friday's game after a hard screen.

Facing three Olympic gold medal winners in Copper, Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, Clark put together an incredible performance as she scored 29 points on Friday and led her team to the win.

After a month-long break in the league for the Paris games, Clark came out firing and scored 16 points in the first half.

The Fever also found themselves with a 48-20 lead at one point.  

But in the third quarter the Mercury the deficit and even led by a point at one stage, setting up a nervy finish as Clark and the Fever rallied.

Caitlin Clark scored 29 points as Indiana Fever returned to the WNBA with a win

Caitlin Clark scored 29 points as Indiana Fever returned to the WNBA with a win 

Her team has clawed its way to a 12-15 record after starting off 2-9. 

Clark also set another record as well - becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to record 450 points and 200 assists in a season.

Despite her impressive night, Clark admitted that the W's break had left her trying to adjust to the pace of the game.

'I called for a sub six minutes in. If I'm being honest I was like, holy cow,' Clark said.

'I was like I need a quick minute here because we were playing fast and then my defense isn't as good.'

The Fever play Seattle Storm back in Indiana on Sunday.