Caitlin Clark is out for at least two weeks, the Indiana Fever announced Monday morning. The news has inspired some fans to more deeply examine the dynamic between Clark and WNBA refs, something that has been questioned time and time again.
‘do I have to bleed to get a foul?’ Caitlin Clark’s last words to the lame ref. No, probably decapitation is needed. pic.twitter.com/TOZr4OKlbi
— CCFC- (@sohali2012) May 25, 2025
A video from the Fever's game against the Liberty that's making the rounds online appears to highlight the frustration the young hooper has felt on the floor. After yet another foul was not called, Clark is seen asking, "Do I have to bleed to get a foul?"
More: Fever fans blame bad ref calls for Caitlin Clark's injury: 'You did NOTHING to protect that girl'
The moment was tough when it happened in real time, but has taken on an even larger meaning since Clark's injury. Many fans have begun to question WNBA referees in earnest, something even the Fever's Coach White has done herself.
White unleashed on WNBA refs while speaking to reporters following the Fever's nail-biter 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty Saturday. "I think it's pretty egregious what's been happening to us the last few games. A minus 31 free throw discrepancy. And I might be able to understand it if we were just chucking threes, but we're not," she said.
White also added, "We've got to be able to control the things that we can control. I felt like at times our late game execution was good ... Yeah, I mean, look, there's a system to making sure that we can send stuff in and communicate our grievances, so to speak. I don't know that I ever feel like the system works. We're not looking for a change. We're just looking for consistency."
Perhaps Clark's injury will inspire the WNBA to review the calls refs have made — but unfortunately for Clark, any such second look will come a little too late.