The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury 86-77 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Monday night. The match turned contentious with five technical fouls and an ejection.

Fever All-Star guard Caitlin Clark received a technical foul for clapping, marking her fifth technical this season. This ties her with Angel Reese for the most technical fouls in the WNBA.

“They said that Caitlin got it for clapping, so I guess that’s taunting,” said Fever head coach Stephanie White in her postgame press conference.

Clark expressed frustration with the decision. “Yeah, it’s ridiculous,” she commented. “I got a technical for clapping. We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I’m gonna be suspended for if I’m gonna get technicals for clapping. I asked [game official] Gerda [Gatling]. Gerda said that I got a technical for clapping, so if any technical should be taken away, it should be that one.”

During the press conference, James Boyd from The Athletic questioned Clark on her awareness regarding technical fouls. Eight technical fouls result in an automatic one-game suspension. Clark responded, “I mean, I’m gonna play with emotion, I’m gonna play with passion, and if they’re gonna give me a technical foul for clapping, then so be it. That’s their choice. The league can come back and review that play, and I’d love to hear what they say.”

While Clark faces the prospect of a fine for her comments, she remains unsuspended for now. There’s precedent that might favor her case. Dallas Wings All-Star guard Paige Bueckers had a technical for clapping rescinded by the WNBA.

Clark ended the game with 24 points, nine assists, and three rebounds. This performance extends her streak of games with at least 20 points and five rebounds to six, the longest in WNBA history according to espnW.

The Fever stand at 10-7, while the Mercury are at 5-13. Both teams will face off again at Gainbridge on Wednesday.