For a team that started the year as a favorite, the journey since has felt like a downward spiral. Five season-ending injuries, including Caitlin Clark’s, plus the absence of DeWanna Bonner and constant roster shake-ups, have kept the Indiana Fever scrambling all year. Still, they kept pushing through, and now, the Fever faces a do-or-die tonight against the Atlanta Dream. A loss would end their playoff hopes, while a win would extend their season by at least one more game. Many setbacks were beyond their control, but there is one challenge they cannot afford in the postseason. After all, for Fever fans, the toughest opponent all year hasn’t been injuries; it’s been the officiating.

There have been plenty of moments this season where Caitlin Clark and the officials haven’t exactly seen eye to eye — and things really started right from the preseason. Clark picked up her first 2025 technical against the Dream, where she had to be held back by Sophie Cunningham after yelling, “No one cares! No one cares!” at the ref. During a Sun game, she was restrained after confronting a referee over an out-of-bounds review. Oh, and how could we forget the confrontation with Marina Mabrey and Jacy Sheldon? To this day, fans don’t know why Mabrey wasn’t ejected. And now, just when you thought the list was long enough, a brand-new incident has been added.

Game 2 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse had its share of drama, but one moment in particular didn’t sit well with sportscasters LaChina Robinson and Pam Ward. Aliyah Boston picked up her second foul on what looked like nothing more than a routine shoulder nudge to Brionna Jones. Jones went down hard, selling the contact, and the officials blew the whistle.“Oh no… no that’s not a good call,” said LaChina Robinson after looking at the play.

Before the game even tipped off, Aliyah Boston was already hyping up Caitlin. Clark showed up rocking all-black Nike Air Forces, and Boston couldn’t resist a laugh: “Black Forces? I’m scared of her. She’s a threat. Them refs better watch out. She’s gonna be stepping today.” And turns out, the refs didn’t watch out.

By halftime, foul trouble was already piling up for the Fever. Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston were both sitting on two fouls, while Lexie Hull had an even tougher whistle with three. That meant all three would have to tiptoe through the second half, playing extra cautious — never an ideal situation in a must-win playoff game. And Caitlin Clark? She wasn’t buying the Aliyah Boston call one bit. After watching the replay, cameras caught her saying, “She flopped her a– off.” A raw reaction that only added fuel to the growing feeling that the Fever aren’t getting a fair shake from the officials. Because when the incident went down, it really did make you wonder — do the officials have a bias against the Fever?

But not everyone was impressed with Caitlin’s choice of outfit for the day. Unlike Boston, who was hyping her up, another teammate had a very different reaction to what she was wearing.

Sophie Cunningham makes fun of Caitlin Clark

One thing that’s kept the Fever going this season, despite all the challenges, is their team chemistry. The players genuinely look out for each other, and the famous “tres leches” crew is always joking around and having fun. Recently, Lexie Hull posted a birthday pic with her twin sister on Instagram, but Clark only wished her twin a happy birthday, “Happy Birthday Lacie,” — and that’s just how the banter rolls in this locker room.

When Clark rolled up to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in an all-black outfit with black Nike Air Force 1s, an all-business look that definitely impressed Boston, Cunningham couldn’t resist roasting her. Mics caught her calling out Clark’s fit, especially her shoes and socks. “With the black socks? Awful, dude,” Cunningham joked.

It’s refreshing to see Clark and Cunningham back to their playful banter, keeping the locker room energy alive despite the Fever’s endless injury troubles this season. Cunningham is on track for a full recovery after her MCL tear, and Clark is gradually working her way back from quad and groin injuries. That said, both will be hoping their season doesn’t end tonight and that the Fever get to fight for another day in the playoffs.

Do you think the Fever’s playoff run ends tonight, or will they fight for another day? Let us know in the comments down below!