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Caitlin Clark Avoids a Suspension After the WNBA Reversed the Technical Foul That Would Have Benched Her

Updated 5 days ago, August 13, 2026

Caitlin Clark’s 8th technical came on a play where a defender bumped her out of bounds and she stumbled into a referee. That contact would have cost her Tuesday’s game.

Caitlin Clark, wearing Indiana Fever jersey number 22, hangs from the basketball rim at United Center in Chicago during a game against the Chicago Sky. — Caitlin Clark (#22) hangs from the rim after a play during the Indiana Fever’s second-half matchup against the Chicago Sky at United Center on August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images.

An 8th technical foul triggers an automatic one-game suspension under WNBA rules, and Clark picked up hers Saturday with 1:06 left in the third quarter of Indiana’s 90-86 win over the Chicago Sky.

The play: driving the baseline, Clark lost the ball after Chicago guard Natasha Cloud bumped her under the basket. No foul was called on Cloud, but the contact sent Clark out of bounds and into a nearby official. The referee hit her with a technical for making contact.

Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, wearing number 8, points while reacting during a WNBA game against the Chicago Sky. — Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever gestures toward a teammate during the second half against the Chicago Sky at United Center on August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images.

Fever coach Stephanie White said officials told her Clark “intentionally sought out the official and threw the forearm.” White called it a “really bad” call and said the contact was “incidental.”

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White reacting on the sideline during a game against the Chicago Sky — Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White reacts on the sideline during the second half against the Chicago Sky at United Center on August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images.

“(The official) said I ran into her,” Clark said postgame. “I’ve already watched it on the tape, so we’ll let the league decide, but it wasn’t intentional or anything. So I’m hoping it’s getting rescinded.”

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever reacting during a game against the Chicago Sky at United Center — Caitlin Clark #22 shows her emotions during the second half of the Indiana Fever’s game against the Chicago Sky at United Center on August 8, 2026. Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images.

The league did rescind it, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports, speaking anonymously because they weren’t authorized to discuss the process. Clark, coming off 26 points and 11 assists against the Sky, will be on the court Tuesday when the Fever face the New York Liberty.

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