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The Indiana Fever blew out the New York Liberty 108-88 in their showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday; however, it wasn't all positive for the team, particularly for Caitlin Clark.
Clark, who finished with 17 points, two rebounds and seven assists, received her sixth technical foul of the season just 91 seconds into the game. The Fever All-Star crashed into Jonquel Jones' hard screen while chasing Marine Johannes on defense.
Clark was quick to complain about the no-call after she got up, as she felt Jones' screen should have been called a foul.
The referee didn't hesitate to give her a tech, which puts Clark in line to pay a $1,000 fine.
Making matters worse for Clark, she's approaching the technical foul limit. Once she reaches her eighth technical foul, she will have to pay a $1,500 fine and serve a one-game suspension.
The WNBArules also state that every other technical foul after the eighth (meaning the 10th, 12th, 14th and so on) carries a one-game suspension.
Naturally, head coach Stephanie White is concerned about Clark reaching the limit and potentially serving a suspension. In her postgame press conference, the Fever tactician said that she will have a "conversation" with her star playmaker.
White also joked that she and Clark will have to be "strategic" when it comes to getting technical fouls. As fans know, most of Clark's techs came from constantly complaining to referees.
"I didn't ask for an explanation," White said about Caitlin Clark's tech. "I think there was a reaction probably after a call or a no-call. I don't remember exactly at that moment."
She added, "But yeah, I mean certainly there are conversations, you know, and there have to be conversations. It's a long season, and then you know after you get to the eighth, I don't know what it is, it's like every two after that [a player gets suspended]? So making sure that we're strategic in using our technical fouls."
The Fever have 18 games left in the regular season, so Clark will really need to be careful about getting more techs. Not to mention that Indiana is 16-10 so far and remains in contention for a playoff spot, so the team can't afford to have the superstar suspended as the postseason race heats up.
Related: "Embarrassing": Caitlin Clark Doesn't Hold Back on Indiana Fever Despite Historic Game
