Caitlin Clark’s margin from a one-game suspension isn’t changing anytime soon. The WNBA seems not to be buying into the Indiana Fever’s assessment that the point guard’s fifth foul in the Phoenix Mercury game on June 22 was incorrect. After the game, head coach Stephanie White stressed that the Fever had put in an official appeal to review the situation. But, according to reports from beat reporter Chloe Peterson, the WNBA has stood firm against any revocation.

“In other news: the league said it will not rescind Caitlin Clark’s tech from Monday, either,” Peterson’s X post read. “Clark will remain at five techs, three away from a one-game suspension.”

For context, Clark earned the foul due to an on-court scuffle with Phoenix’s DeWanna Bonner. It occurred during the fourth frame of play when Clark and Bonner got tangled up during Phoenix’s offensive run.

What began as a verbal tussle just between Clark and DeWanna Bonner escalated into a team brawl. Sophie Cunningham and Myisha Hines-Allen from Indiana and Alyssa Thomas from Phoenix joined forces behind their respective teammates. The officials stepped in quickly, handing five technical fouls in a single sequence of play.

It even led to Hines-Allen being ejected from the game, just the second time this season for a Fever player. But what’s more absurd was the reason the officials assigned to hand Clark her technical. he Fever guard was punished just for clapping.

For Caitlin Clark made her stance regarding her technical clear while speaking in the post-game presser.

“It’s ridiculous,” Clark said. “I got a technical for clapping. So we should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that 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… I don’t understand it.”

However, the officials clearly interpreted the on-court rules. According to USA Today, referee Garda Gatling penalized Clark for “clapping and instigating” the situation on the court.

And while the Fever appealed the decision, the league has remained aligned with Gatling’s assessment in its June 25 decision on the situation. Per WNBA regulations, Clark will have to pay a $1,000 fine for her fifth offense this season.

Even more concerning for Fever is that Caitlin Clark is now leading the league in technicals. Clark and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese currently have five technicals this season, just three more away from a one-game suspension.

And now, one of Caitlin Clark’s national teammates has shared her two cents on this decision.

Caitlin Clark’s Technical Foul Fiasco Finds a Voice in Paige Bueckers

While Caitlin Clark’s technical foul for clapping may seem a bit surprising, it isn’t even the first occurrence this season. Paige Bueckers faced a similar decision from the officials in a game against the Atlanta Dream.

“We’re just competitors,” Bueckers had said via ESPN. “We wanna win. We show passion, and we show fight. … What I’ve learned is clapping is non-negotiable, so I’mma stay away from clapping, no promises, but I don’t want to keep losing money.”

Basketball is, in general, a physical sport. The passion and aggression of the players are what make the sport come to life. And taking it away from the game diminishes its very essence to many.

Bueckers echoed the same sentiment in her assessment. However, as a player who has faced this scrutiny herself, the Wings guard is willing to take a more preventive approach. It’s something that Caitlin Clark should consider, given that she is already on five technicals this season.

Losing her for a game at the business end of the season would be daunting for the Fever, especially given that Clark is their offensive anchor. It’s something that the Fever and Clark will have to address to navigate the narrow lines of the WNBA’s officiating guidelines.