Caitlin Clark Warns Injured Teammate of Sophie Cunningham’s Fate as Ref Feud vs. Sparks Reaches Boiling Point

Last time Caitlin Clark was on court versus the Sun on July 15th, it wasn’t just her right groin injury that raised questions. It was her quick exchange with referee Michael Price. “That’s just rude. Grow up… Unbelievable,” she said before summoning Price with a finger point during the third quarter. But while it has been weeks since then, the storyline hasn’t changed much. Though this time, she is not boiling over with frustration but playing the role of savior!

After Kelsey Mitchel was supposedly fouled by Kelsey Plum in the second quarter, Sydney Colson could not hold back. Sidelined for the season due to an ACL tear, the Fever guard took to X and put up a blunt take: “At a certain point in the league’s existence, ima need for Kelsey Mitchell to get the same whistle as other stars. The way she gets assaulted is insane actually & I’ve considered roping my sister in to have her office pursue charges.”

But while Syd came out firing, CC raised caution before Colson could say more: “Careful you’re gonna get fined!” she shared with a bit of humor. The moment was a result of no whistle in the second quarter when Mitchell was grabbed while driving to the rim. Soon after, the Fever bench erupted, led by CC, who sprang up in outrage, followed by Lexie Hull and the coaching staff.

While Hull, after yelling at officials, was hit immediately with a tech foul, CC herself screamed, “Call it, call it.” But that wasn’t an overreach considering Indy’s roster is already thin, and the lack of protection for Mitchell sparked legitimate concern. But still, CC tried to save Syd from getting fined.

After all, Sophie’s got it thrice this season. First one, a $500 fine, came with her TikTok post aimed at the refs.“Stupid or is it slow? Maybe it’s useless,” the lyrics had read. But that did not stop the Fever guard. She was fined $1500 more for venting about officiating on her Show Me Something podcast. Then in the very next episode, she called out the refs for favoring Paige Bueckers, and Cunningham would later come out and say, “I’m officially 3-for-3 on being fined by the WNBA.” 

But while CC’s right, you can’t blame Syd either.

Stephanie White has previously expressed how fouls and physicality against Kelsey Mitchell often go uncalled. “”I think Kelsey Mitchell, No. 1, is held or chucked on every freaking possession and never gets a call off the ball,” she had voiced. But that’s been a prevalent issue.

Indy’s got a history of controversial calls…

When the Indiana Fever took the court against the Connecticut Sun on June 18th, there were five techs issued—all because of the poor officiating, because refs didn’t call the obvious pushes and scratches throughout the game. So, Indy players took it into their own hands, and then Sophie grabbed Jacy by the neck as she attempted a layup.

“I think it was pretty obvious that stuff was brewing, right? When the officials don’t get control of the ballgame, when they allow that stuff to happen, and it’s been happening all season long, all season long…It’s not just this game. It’s been happening all season long,” shared White in the postgame conference.

But despite calling it out straight, things aren’t getting better. Even last game when the Wings went with an 81-80 win against the Fever inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, forcing the HC to call “double standard” during the game.

“If it’s going to be physical, and you’re going to allow us to be physical, then allow both teams to be physical. If you’re going to call the holds, and you’re going to call the chucks, then call it both ways,” White said after the game. “So, I mean, I think that we’ve been pretty consistent in what we’re asking for, and I didn’t feel like it was consistent.”

So, the issues have been persistent. But despite facing adversities and an injury-driven season, the Fever’s not slowing down. They’ve just ended up collecting their second consecutive win against the LA Sparks. Now they’re 21-18 in the playoff run. But can they fulfill White’s dream to win the championship title with these circumstances?