Caitlin Clark Calls Out 'Ridiculous' Technical Foul, Fever Star Talks Potential Suspension

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark took issue with the "ridiculous" technical foul she received in Monday's 86-77 win over the Phoenix Mercury.

Clark and Mercury star DeWanna Bonner got tied up inside early into the fourth quarter, which raised the temperature between the two teams. The officials issued five technicals in all. Clark's resulted from clapping as the tension lingered.c

The two-time All-Star is now three technicals away from triggering an automatic suspension, which she quipped is inevitable.

"We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I'm gonna be suspended for if I'm gonna get technicals for clapping," Clark told reporters.

Clark is becoming an increasingly polarizing figure midway through her third season in the WNBA.

The Indiana guard maintains a passionate following, one that largely followed her from her college career at Iowa. However, a growing number of fans are being turned off by some of her behavior on the court.

Clark is far from the only star who tends to be demonstrative with the refs. Mercury legend Diana Taurasi is the most notable example, and her treatment of the officials was brushed aside or laughed off entirely.

But the paradigm has shifted. Taurasi's indignation at almost every call against her probably wouldn't be endearing in the way it was when she played.

Clark wasn't guilty of any violent conduct on Monday night, but her technical could've been avoided. She didn't help to de-escalate the situation, first by walking toward Bonner after play stopped and then clapping as teammate Myisha Hines-Allen was squaring up with Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas.

Her own coach, Stephanie White, seemed to acknowledge what unfolded was unnecessary:

The Fever and Mercury turn right back around and play Wednesday night Indianapolis. They conclude their season series on July 9 in Phoenix.

Those two meetings are going to carry more intrigue after Monday's escapades.