Caitlin Clark Furious Over Controversial No-Call in Fever’s Narrow Loss to Liberty
The Indiana Fever’s rising star Caitlin Clark was visibly frustrated and outraged following a controversial ending to Saturday’s game against the New York Liberty — a 90-88 defeat marked by a no-call in the closing seconds that left fans and players alike shaking their heads.
With time winding down and the Fever trailing by just two points, Clark took the ball in her hands, looking to either tie the game or steal a win from the reigning WNBA champions. As she attempted to make her move, she was met with aggressive defense from Natasha Cloud of the Liberty. On the decisive play, Cloud appeared to initiate hard contact, leaning into Clark and knocking the ball free. Replay footage clearly showed Cloud driving her shoulder into Clark’s as the ball was dislodged.
Despite the physical nature of the contact, the referees opted not to blow the whistle. Clark stumbled slightly, arms outstretched in disbelief, immediately turning to the officials for a foul call. When none came, the Fever’s chance slipped away with the final buzzer.
Clark’s reaction was one of raw emotion — yelling in protest, throwing up her hands, and punching the air in frustration. It was a rare display of visible anger from the composed rookie, underscoring just how pivotal and controversial the moment was. She wasn’t alone in her frustration. Veteran teammate Sophie Cunningham quickly joined her in confronting the officials, sharing Clark’s disbelief that the contact wasn’t deemed a foul.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Indiana, who had fought tooth and nail to keep pace with a formidable Liberty squad that remains undefeated this season. A win would have been a statement victory for the rebuilding Fever and Clark, who continues to shine individually while seeking her first marquee team win in the pros.
The no-call reignited ongoing debates among fans and analysts about the consistency of officiating in the WNBA, particularly in crucial game-deciding moments. Many on social media rallied to Clark’s defense, arguing that a foul on Cloud was clear and should have afforded Clark a trip to the free-throw line to potentially send the game to overtime or win it outright.
For now, the Fever are left to regroup and refocus. But for Caitlin Clark, the sting of Saturday’s controversial ending won’t fade quickly — and it may just fuel an even fiercer edge in the games to come.