The WNBA has faced backlash from fans and supporters after a controversial call against Caitlin Clark during a crucial game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream. With only a few teams left fighting for playoff spots, every play was important. Late in the second quarter, Clark was bringing the ball up the court with her teammate, forward NaLyssa Smith, trailing behind. As Clark passed the half-court line, she handed the ball to Smith, who had to leap to avoid a backcourt violation. Despite Smith seemingly gaining possession after crossing the half-court line, the referees still called a backcourt violation.

This call sparked outrage, both on the court and online. Many fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling, claiming it was a bad call and unfair to Clark and the Fever. Social media lit up with comments, with one fan stating, “How TF is this a Caitlin Clark turnover?” Another user criticized the officials, suggesting there was either incompetence or bias involved: “These refs have an agenda.” Some went as far as to question why certain referees were allowed to officiate WNBA games, calling the situation “strange.”

Despite the setback, Clark and the Fever continued their strong performance. Since returning from the Olympic break, Clark has led her team on a five-game winning streak, earning two Player of the Week awards and the Player of the Month title for August. This run has helped push the Fever towards one of their best records, with Clark’s leadership and on-court dominance standing out as key factors.