Clash on the Court: Clark and Sheldon Stir the Pot as Tempers Flare

Caitlin Clark and Jacy Sheldon are no strangers to tension.

Their rivalry reached a new height Tuesday night after numerous clashes during a heated game, culminating in several altercations and multiple ejections between Clark’s Indiana Fever and Sheldon’s Connecticut Sun. An eye-poke incident was the tipping point.

The Fever were ahead 55-45 midway through the third quarter when Clark brought the ball across half-court. She maneuvered over the 3-point arc near the free-throw line with Sheldon closely shadowing her. Contact ensued between the two.

Sheldon reached up and poked Clark’s eye, earning a personal foul. Clark reacted. Sheldon then nudged Clark, who retaliated with a shove. Connecticut’s Marina Mabrey then approached and pushed Clark to the floor.

Tensions were brought under control as Clark got back on her feet. Officials consulted the monitor to review the incident.

Minutes later, decisions were made. Sheldon’s face swipe foul was elevated to a flagrant 1. Clark was given a technical foul for her reaction.

Connecticut’s Tina Charles received a technical foul for confronting Clark following her exchange with Sheldon. Mabrey also received a technical for pushing Clark to the court.

This resulted in Clark shooting one technical and two flagrant foul free throws, all of which she made, extending the Fever’s lead to 58-45.

No one was ejected… yet.

The game was marked by multiple conflicts between these teams.

How it Started

Early in the second quarter, during a dead ball situation, Clark and Sheldon exchanged words as they walked from the sidelines. Clark then shoved Sheldon, sparking a brief verbal exchange among players on the court.

Though no foul was called, this incident set the stage for what turned into a notably physical match, which intensified in the third and again in the final quarter.

How it Ended

As the Fever led 87-70 in the closing minute, Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham committed a severe foul on Sheldon as she went for a breakaway layup. Cunningham grabbed Sheldon, causing her to fall.

Another scuffle broke out, leading to more drastic actions and ejections.

After reviewing footage, officials assessed Cunningham a flagrant 2 foul, which warranted automatic ejection. Sheldon was ejected for fighting, receiving a technical foul, along with Connecticut’s Lindsay Allen.

Free throws followed for each team, and the game concluded with the Fever securing a decisive 17-point victory. This win catapulted the Fever to represent the Eastern Conference in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.