Paige Bueckers facing fine after Caitlin Clark clash as Fever star shares honest verdict on rival: ‘Calm down’

Caitlin Clark’s simmering rivalry with Paige Bueckers boiled over Thursday as the Dallas Wings snapped the Indiana Fever’s five-game win streak.

With seconds remaining before the half, Clark had the ball down two and looked to find space.

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Bueckers grabbed the Fever guard’s arm in an effort to stop the possession, but the officials missed the blatant foul.

The Wings superstar was forced to make another attempt, which annoyed Clark and saw her fire the ball past Bueckers’ head and down court.

Both players exchanged words with the Dallas star appearing to say “calm down” to a visibly frustrated Clark, who feels she does not get enough protection from officials.

Bueckers was assessed for a common foul on the play, and drew a technical later in the game for arguing with a referee after another foul on Clark.

Dallas triumphed 91-85, thanks to Arike Ogunbowale’s team-high 32 points, and Bueckers’ eight assists.

“(The Fever) would’ve clinched (a playoff berth) if they won today, and we didn’t want another team to clinch on us,” she said.

“We still got a couple more to secure our spots in playoffs, but we’re just taking a game at a time. But this is a really good win.”

Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 37 points, and Clark set up nine scores.

Caitlin Clark shares Paige Bueckers verdict

After the game, the WNBA‘s most-high profile player had no hard feelings.

“Obviously, she’s an incredible player. [She] makes it really hard on us defensively… Paige is a tremendous player,” Clark told reporters.

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“She takes what the defense gives her; she doesn’t force anything; she’s smooth; she finds the open teammate. So she’s just a really tough guard.”

Bueckers can expect a $500 fine from the WNBA for her second tech this season and third of a short career.

Per the new CBA, players are fined $500 for each of their first three technical fouls.

Clark has a league-high eight techs in 2026.

Indiana fell to 24-13 with the Wings three wins back after their triumph, which came days after first overall pick Azzi Fudd was ruled out for the rest of her rookie season.

The Fever face the New York Liberty on the road Saturday, with Dallas hosting the Seattle Storm Sunday.