Heated Caitlin Clark yells at referees and holds back coach as Paige Bueckers makes statement vs Fever

Caitlin Clark has now been sidelined for 20 WNBA games after sustaining a groin injury on July 15 during the Indiana Fever's win over the Connecticut Sun. This marks her third injury of the season, and no return date has been set.

Despite being injured, Clark actively supports her team from the sidelines, adopting an assistant-coach-like role. During Tuesday's narrow 81-80 loss to the Dallas Wings, her frustration became visible. With seconds remaining and the Fever down by one possession, a miscommunication occurred when Dallas forward Natasha Howard rebounded a missed shot by Paige Bueckers. Howard dribbled for five seconds before passing to Kelsey Mitchell, who forced a difficult shot with 1.7 seconds left. Fever coach Stephanie White failed to call a timeout before the shot, which proved costly.

Clark reacted angrily to the game's ending and officiating, sarcastically clapping at referee Amy Bonner, who then ordered her back to the bench. Earlier in the game, Clark displayed composure by physically restraining Coach White from stepping onto the court during a heated moment.

The loss is Indiana's third in four games, ending a previous five-game win streak. Despite the Wings' league-worst 9-24 record, top draft pick Bueckers led Dallas to the road victory.