Concerning Caitlin Clark trend emerges amid tense interaction with referee in Fever win

May 14, 2026 - 12:15

Caitlin Clark has picked up her first technical foul of the 2026 season, but a more worrying trend is starting to emerge for the WNBA superstar.

At the halftime buzzer on Wednesday night, the Indiana Fever held a commanding 48-34 lead over the Los Angeles Sparks.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever argues for a foul during the first half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on May 13, 2026 — Clark has picked up her first tech of the season, and a worrying trend is emerging

But as Clark made her way off the floor at Crypto.com Arena, she had some choice words for the referee.

With 20 seconds left in the first half, Indiana’s guard was called for an offensive foul, which handed Los Angeles possession.

Moments later, as the players returned to the locker room, Clark walked towards Jason Alabanza and appeared to engage in a brief verbal spat — which ended with the Fever star sarcastically clapping towards the official.

She was then whistled, and assessed with her first technical foul of the season.

Clark now has nine technicals in her WNBA career to date.

Six of those came in her record-breaking rookie season, and two more in an injury-plagued 2025.

The Fever star has taken a somewhat combative stance toward officials since arriving in the WNBA, but a different trend that has emerged early in the new season is more worrying.

Is Caitlin Clark’s three-point shooting cause for concern?

Through her first two games, the 24-year-old has already put up an impressive number of points.

Clark finished with 20 in the season-opening loss against the Dallas Wings, and put up 24 in Wednesday’s 87-78 win against the Sparks.

Her shooting from beyond the arc, though, makes for tougher reading.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 13, 2026 — Clark’s three-point shooting is becoming a concern two games into the 2026 season

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Clark came into the league as a generational talent, renowned for her long-distance three-point shooting.

But her recent performances suggest she’s losing her special touch from range.

Against the Wings last weekend, Clark shot 2-of-9 (22.2 percent), and on the road in Los Angeles, she shot 1-of-7 (14.3 percent). That gives her a season average of 18.8 percent.

Those numbers are incredibly low compared to her landscape-shifting college career.

During four years with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark shot 37.7 percent from three-point range and made an NCAA Division I women’s record 548 three-pointers.

Her best year came in 2020-21, when she shot an incredible 40.6 percent from deep.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever and Kelsey Plum #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks look on during the game on May 13, 2026 — Clark’s three-point percentage has been sliding since college

Even in the WNBA, Clark was consistent from three-point-range in her rookie season, shooting 34.4 percent. That number dropped to 27.9 percent in an injury-hit Sophomore year.

Two games into Year 3, and it appears to be sliding again.

Why is Caitlin Clark struggling to shoot from distance?

There could be a number of reasons behind Clark’s struggles from deep.

Shot selection may be part of the problem. The superstar guard is a high-volume three-point shooter, and takes many attempts, even if they aren’t necessarily good shots.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever shoots a three point basket during the game against the Indiana Fever during a WNBA Pre-Season game on April 25, 2026 — A number of factors could be having an affect on Clark’s long-range shooting

Across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Clark shot 459 three-point attempts, the ninth most in the WNBA during that period. But she barely ranks in the top 20 (19th) in three-point percentage.

Lingering injury issues could also be behind the slump.

Clark left the season opener against Dallas with back tightness, and has previously discussed the struggles — both mental and physical — of bouncing back from issues that cut her 2025 short.

If injuries are weighing heavily on her mind, she might be momentarily hesitating on shots that were once automatic, just until she’s feeling 100 percent on the court again.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the game against the Dallas Wings on May 9, 2026 — Clark battled lingering injuries during the season opener against Dallas

But while Clark is struggling from range through two games, she’s still having a major impact on the Fever, and led the team in both points and assists against the Sparks.

“Obviously, I only made one three tonight, but I haven’t let that affect me,” she told reports postgame.

“I haven’t shot the ball as well as I’d like the first two games, but my shot feels great and I feel like it’s right there. I haven’t let that bother my mind.

“The best thing I can do for this team is play-make. At the end of the day, I can score the ball. I can make threes, but what I can do best for this team is make plays for my teammates.”

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