Image Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark Fined $200 For Comments Towards Referees Following Game 3 Win Over Atlanta Dream

Clark took a dig at referees on social media after Fever's Game 3 win.

Image Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The WNBA fined Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark $200 for her comments over referees on social media. The two-time All-Star guard who is sidelined for the postseason with a right groin injury, made an Instagram comment criticizing the referees’ handling of the team. Clark’s remarks came after the Fever, one of the least favorites to head into the playoffs at one point, stunned the third-seeded Atlanta Dream with a 2-1 win in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs opening round series.

As the Fever booked their first semi-final berth in over a decade, Clark reacted to a post and wrote, “Refs couldn’t stop us.” However, the remark ended up costing her $200. Notably, this isn’t the first time that an Indiana Fever member has taken a dig towards the referees. Earlier during the season, players including Sophie Cunningham as well as head coach Stephanie White criticized the officials for their unfair treatment to the Fever players during games.

Got fined $200 for this lol😂😂😂😂😂BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LETS GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! @IndianaFever https://t.co/vO6OkDyfqU
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) September 20, 2025

It seems that Clark is taking the penalty in stride though. Typically, the league doesn’t announce when players are fined. Hence, Clark herself took to her social media and joked about the fine. She added that the Fever’s bench mob will be “even more rowdy” during the semifinal game against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, September 21.

Sophie Cunningham Jokes About Caitlin Clark’s Fine Amount

Sophie Cunningham, another key player on the Fever’s roster who is sidelined for the postseason with a torn MCL, joked about the fine imposed on her teammate, Caitlin Clark. Cunningham has been vocal about her criticism towards the league and is known for taking a stand for her teammate. The former Mercury star quoted Clark’s post on X and said, “That’s really gonna break the bank for her. Starting a GoFundMe now!”

that’s gonna really break the bank for her. starting a GoFundMe now! https://t.co/CllJWmIm6I
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) September 20, 2025

Petty fines have been nothing new in sports. However, this is for the first time that an Instagram comment has been considered an offence.

Coming back to Cunningham, the 29-year-old had something more to say after the Fever advanced to the semifinals against the Aces. In a recent episode of her ‘Show Me Something’ podcast, she said that the entire league is mad because of Indiana’s qualification. “I think the league is so mad that we won because we were literally not supposed to be here at all. That fuels our fire even more. It was so fun,” the former 13th overall pick said.

Notably, Cunningham is one of the five injured players who were sidelined mid-season. But, she made sure to be with the team for the entire campaign, and has been a great support to her teammates from the sidelines. Talking about the Fever, despite getting major blows throughout the entire season, the team showed resilience. They ended up making it to the playoffs and defeated an upper-seeded rival team to advance to Round 2 for the first time since 2015.

Caitlin Clark

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.