The technical foul assessed to Caitlin Clark in Saturday’s win at Chicago has been rescinded by the WNBA, a league source told Fieldhouse Files.
It was potentially significant because it would have been the eighth called on Clark this season, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension. That would have kept her out of a high-profile ESPN game on Tuesday as the Indiana Fever host the New York Liberty.
The Fever (20-12) are fourth in the WNBA standings, yet just one game ahead of the Liberty, who are in eighth.
This was a fast appeal, with then the technical foul rescinded just two hours and 20 minutes after it was issued by rookie official Genesis Perrymond, one of five new referees for the 2026 season.
Kudos to the league for handling it so quickly and getting it right in the end. Not only was it incidental contact, but a suspension would have left many people unhappy — ESPN, fans with game tickets, Clark and the Fever.
The team plane wasn’t even off the ground at Chicago Midway when they learned of the news.
Clark was so baffled during the game that she turned to ESPN’s elite announcing duo of Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo as a teammate shot free throws and said “I didn't do anything. I didn't even say anything.”
When Holly Rowe followed up during an on-court interview postgame, Clark was confident it would get sorted out.
“She said I ran into her,” Clark said of Perrymond. “I've already watched it on the tape, so we'll let the league decide. But it wasn't intentional or anything. I'm hoping it's getting rescinded. Nothing was said. I'll see you on Tuesday.”
And Clark was right.
“She intentionally seeked out the official,” she said. “And threw a forearm, that too.”
During the game, White then was issued a technical foul for standing up for Clark in the moment.
“My tech was for saying ‘that’s bullshit,’ even though I heard the F-bomb the whole fucking game. My tech was for saying ‘that’s bullshit.’ That’s a bad call. That’s a bad call.
“Incidental contact when you’re flying out of control. And I thought her teammates should have come up and talked to her about that as well. I think that’s really bad. That shit happens all the time in the game. Officials have to have some awareness in those moments and it didn’t happen.”
Asked about it postgame, Clark added: “I just hope the league makes the right decision and hopefully I can play on Tuesday.”
Although it was corrected, it still cost the Fever two points during the game. The Sky received two foul shots, one for each technical, and Rachel Banham made both.
(My postgame video recap, recorded before the update, is below. Please excuse the audio.)
The Fever held on for a 90-86 win — their 20th victory of the season. Clark finished with 26 points and 11 assists for her eighth double-double this season. Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 to extend her streak to 16 consecutive games with at least 20 points, and Aliyah Boston added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Now, in addition to being cleared to play on Tuesday, Clark also avoids the $1,500 fine that comes with the eighth technical. But she still must be extra careful over the final 12 regular-season games to avoid triggering the automatic suspension with technical No. 8.
The Fever have appealed multiple Clark technical fouls this season, but this is the first one that has been rescinded.
Technical fouls do not carry over into the postseason.
About 20 minutes after the reversal, at 7:39 p.m. ET, the WNBA issued the pool report from the game.
QUESTION: What led to Caitlin Clark's technical in the third quarter?
MAJ FORSBERG: The official deemed that Clark intentionally made contact; therefore, a technical foul was assessed.
QUESTION: How did (the official) know that it was intentional?
MAJ FORSBERG: The league office will review whether any additional penalty should be assessed.
A Flagrant and post on Threads from DiJonai Carrington. Technical foul on Clark. Automatic suspension. Immediate appeal. Technical rescinded. Then a pool report from the officials.
Just another day in the WNBA.
So true! Just another day.
Thanks for the quick update!