Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever received her first technical foul of the season during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks. After the game, she acknowledged her actions and praised the referees for their performance.
Key points
Caitlin Clark received her first technical foul of the season.
The foul occurred during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Clark acknowledged her actions and praised the referees.
As the Sparks and Fever were heading to the locker room for halftime, Clark was arguing an offensive foul called on her on Indiana's final possession. She continued to shout and gesture at an official during the duration of the Sparks' closing possession.
"The refs were calling it ... the refs are doing a tremendous job," Clark said "I deserved the technical they gave me. It's great for the game, they are going to keep the hands off, they are going to make the play be good."
The WNBA season tips off as Caitlin Clark returns to the court with the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings.
See moments from opening night as one of the leagueâs brightest stars begins a new season.
Above, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is introduced Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark passes the ball Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Q&A
What led to Caitlin Clark receiving a technical foul?
Caitlin Clark received a technical foul for arguing an offensive foul called on her during the Fever's last possession before halftime.
How did Caitlin Clark react to her technical foul?
Caitlin Clark took responsibility for the technical foul, stating she deserved it and praised the referees for their performance.
What was the outcome of the game between the Fever and Sparks?
The Indiana Fever won the game against the Los Angeles Sparks with a final score of 87-78.
When did Caitlin Clark receive her first technical foul of the season?
Caitlin Clark received her first technical foul of the season on May 13 during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts to the action Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks to pass around Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd and Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James on Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Odyssey Sims defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
1 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
The WNBA season tips off as Caitlin Clark returns to the court with the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings.
See moments from opening night as one of the leagueâs brightest stars begins a new season.
Above, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is introduced Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
1 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
The WNBA season tips off as Caitlin Clark returns to the court with the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings.
See moments from opening night as one of the leagueâs brightest stars begins a new season.
Above, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is introduced Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
2 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark passes the ball Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
3 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts to the action Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
4 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
5 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks to pass around Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd and Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James on Saturday, May 9, 2026, during the first half of the Fever's season opener game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse in Indianapolis.
6 / 6
Caitlin Clark is back as Fever open season at home against Wings
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball while Dallas Wings guard Odyssey Sims defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The WNBA is tightening its standards around the number of fouls committed in games. The league revised its fine structure for technical fouls, flagrant fouls and flopping. The new structure, agreed upon in the league's CBA, raises fine amounts to 2.5 times more than the cost in 2025 but at a lower rate than the salaries for players. Technical fouls are fined at $500 for the first three before escalating:
Technical foul 1â3:Â $500 fine each.
Technical foul 4â7:Â $1,000 fine each, plus a warning letter from the league issued after the fifth technical.
Technical foul 8+:$1,500 fine, plus a one-game suspension.
"The hardest part of injury is something I'm still really battling and almost struggling with is just the mental hump of getting over everything," Clark said before the game.
"I understand my body too well to a point now. ... You just become hypercautious about certain things."
Clark reiterated her back "gets out of line pretty quickly" but being able to get back into the season opener against the Wings actually helped her mentally.
"That moment where my back tightened up, I think I almost got confidence from that because I came back in and I played eight more minutes, so I felt great," Clark said. "... But it's going to take me a little bit to really get over the mental hurdle of trusting my body."
With 24 points, Clark looked to be in full form. She shot 1-of-7 from the 3-point line but dished out nine assists to help keep the Fever's offense humming. Clark added four rebounds, two steals and a block. She also had six turnovers.
USA Today women's sports reporters Meghan L. Hall and Callie Fin contributed to this report.