Why Fever's Caitlin Clark decided to 'thank' referee after technical foul vs. Storm
The Indiana Fever defeated the Seattle Storm by a final score of 92-75 on Sunday. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 27 points in the win. Aliyah Boston added nine points and a team leading 15 rebounds. Caitlin Clark, meanwhile, finished the game with 23 points and a team high nine assists.
Clark has continued to silence her doubters throughout the 2024 season. The Fever are now 2-0 since the Olympic break came to an end as well. However, Sunday's game was not exactly a perfect contest for Indiana. Clark received a technical foul following a moment of frustration. Clark, though, said the frustration stemmed from being mad at herself as opposed to a call from the referees, via SportsCenter on Instagram.
"I got a technical for basically being mad at myself, because I missed a three and went and hit the backboard," Clark told reporters after the game. "He (referee) told me it was disrespectful to the game of basketball. It reminded me of the technical that I got in college where I said d*mmit where it's like a personal frustration. Had nothing to do with my team, nothing to do with the reffing, had nothing to do with the other team.
"It was just because I'm a competitor. I felt like I should have been making more shots. But I think he fired me up to continue to play a lot harder. I think we got a lot better after he did that. I want to thank him for that."
In the end, Clark and the Fever earned the win. Perhaps the referee's technical foul call played a role in Indiana's success as a result of the motivation it caused.
Fever sending warning to rest of league
The Fever are playing well right now. Indiana lost their last game before the Olympic break, but it is clear that they are back on track.
Clark is the favorite in the Rookie of the Year conversation. She has been tremendous for the Fever. With that being said, Clark's teammates deserve credit as well. Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell have enjoyed impressive seasons. Lexie Hull added 22 points in Sunday's win. She is capable of making an impact as well.
Competing with the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun, will still prove to be a challenge for Indiana. Nevertheless, the league is surely taking notice of the Fever's improved play.
The long-term future is bright for the Fever without question, but they may even make a deep postseason run in 2024.