WNBA

Caitlin Clark gets technical foul for striking Lynx player in face during Fever win

Caitlin Clark inched a little closer to a suspension thanks to a questionable technical foul call for striking an opposing player in the face during play.

The Fever rookie was pushing the ball up the court late in the third quarter, and Lynx wing Cecilia Zandalasini grabbed her right arm in an apparent attempt to slow her down after Clark dribbled behind the back on Sunday.

Caitlin Clark received a technical foul for striking the Lynx Cecilia Zandalasini in the face after she was fouled. ESPN

Clark responded by extending her arm and taking a short swipe in frustration, and she ended up making strong contact with Zandalasini’s face.

The former Iowa star looked annoyed by the foul as she walked away from Zandalasini.

Zandalasini was assessed a personal foul and Clark was given a technical once the referees chose to review the play after Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve had a few words with them about it. 

It is Clark’s fourth technical this season, three away from the seven that would trigger a one-game suspension per league rules.  

The Fever (11-16) went on to grab an impressive 81-74 win over the Lynx (16-8) at Target Center.

Cecilia Zandalasini reacts to being hit in the face by Caitlin Clark on Sunday. ESPN
Caitlin Clark received a technical foul during the Fever’s win over the Lynx on Sunday. Getty Images

Clark, who also gifted her sneakers to an excited young fan after the game, finished with 17 points, six assists and three rounds as the Fever featured four players in double figures — including Kelsey Mitchell’s game-high 21. 

The win is Indiana’s third in their last four games.