HENDERSON, Nev. — Caitlin Clark was fined $200 for a comment she made on an Instagram post about the Indiana Fever advancing to the WNBA semifinals over the Atlanta Dream, a team source confirmed.
“Refs couldn’t stop us,” Clark commented on a post following the Fever’s 87-85 Thursday night win.
Advertisement
Clark then wrote on X, “Got fined $200 for this lol… BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LETS GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!” upon receiving the news.
During the Fever’s practice ahead of Game 1 against Las Vegas, Clark, who is out for the playoffs with a groin injury, yelled at reporters from the other side of the gym to check her tweet.
The WNBA doesn’t publicize its fines, but this is the second known instance of a player or coach being disciplined for comments about officiating during the 2025 postseason. Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged that she was fined for calling the refereeing unfair in the Valkyries’ Game 1 loss to Minnesota in the first round. The minimum fine for infractions is $200, indicating that this is probably Clark’s first such offense this season.
Advertisement
Despite her sentiment toward the referees, the Fever were whistled for eight fewer fouls (14 to 22) than the Dream in their Game 3 win. They took 24 free throws compared to 11 for the Dream.
The subject of officiating, particularly as it relates to the Indiana vs. Atlanta series, was on other people’s minds across the league.
“It was a football match,” Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon said Saturday. “There were bodies flying the whole time. Quite frankly, it made for very ugly basketball, and I think that’s something the league’s gotta take a look at.
“These players are incredibly skilled, and that should be highlighted,” Hammon added. “I don’t know if they get a bonus for not calling fouls in the playoffs … I don’t get it. I don’t like it. I think it takes away from the game.”
Advertisement
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Indiana Fever, WNBA
2025 The Athletic Media Company
