Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham were embroiled in a heated exchange with one of their former Indiana Fever teammates on Monday night.
Clark was defending DeWanna Bonner with just under eight minutes to go in the Fever’s 86-77 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.
But as the ball came towards them, Bonner appeared to lash out at Clark in an aggressive attempt to get away from her as they tangled in the paint.
Bonner started to walk away from Clark before her and the WNBA sensation appeared to exchange some tense words.
Referees quickly tried to calm the situation but some of the other Fever and Mercury players quickly gathered around.
Bonner walked away but then shoving broke out between the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas and Fever star Myisha Hines-Allen, forcing referees to step in and try to deescalate the situation.
Caitlin Clark clashed with DeWanna Bonner after a skirmish during their game on Monday
Players from both teams got involved with each other as referees tried to calm them down
Bonner and Sophie Cunningham had to be separated as they continued to point at each other
Bonner was pulled away from the incident before referees dished out six techincals
Clark blasted the ‘ridiculous’ decision and claimed she was penalized for ‘clapping’
The melee then exploded while a replay was being shown, and it led to Bonner and Cunningham pointing at each other, although it’s unclear why.
Bonner’s teammate and some Mercury staff members had to usher her away from Cunningham, who was continuing to point at her.
Bonner played with both Clark and Cunningham on the Fever last season. She played nine games before being waived and signing with the Mercury.
After the chaos had settled down, referees gave out a staggering six technical fouls in eight seconds with Clark and Cunningham both on the receiving end.
It was Clark’s fifth technical of the season, which brings a $1,000 fine, while three more will see her get a one-game suspension.
Speaking after the game, Clark blasted the ‘ridiculous’ decision and claimed she was penalized for ‘clapping’.
‘It’s ridiculous, I got a technical for clapping,’ she said.
‘We should all go on the calendar now and pick a game I’m going to be suspended for if I’m going to get technicals for clapping.
‘If any technical should be taken away, it should be that one. If it’s truly for clapping, it’s just ridiculous.’
Clark had 24 points and nine assists, while Kelsey Mitchell scored 22 points as the Fever overcame a 13-point, first-quarter deficit to win 86-77. The Fever host the Mercury again on Wednesday.
