The Indiana Fever’s Tuesday night showdown against the Connecticut Sun quickly turned from competitive to combative, as tensions boiled over in a physical, foul-heavy game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. In a matchup that saw multiple technical fouls, a flagrant call, and three ejections, it was Indiana who ultimately emerged with the 88–71 victory.
One of the most talked-about moments came late in the third quarter. Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, already having exchanged words with several Sun players earlier in the game, was involved in a heated sequence after Sun guard Jacy Sheldon made contact with her face during defensive pressure. Frustrated, Clark shoved Sheldon—and was immediately pushed to the floor by Connecticut forward Marina Mabrey.
What followed was a brief on-court scuffle as both teams swarmed in. Officials reviewed the play and issued a flagrant foul on Sheldon, technical fouls on Clark and veteran center Tina Charles, and an additional technical on Mabrey. The crowd audibly disagreed with the officials, expecting a harsher penalty for the shove on Clark.
Clark calmly sank all three free throws following the incident. Shortly after, she drained a deep three-pointer and appeared to exchange words with the Connecticut bench—adding even more fuel to the fire.
The tension didn’t subside. In the final minute of regulation, Sheldon stole the ball and sprinted down the court on a fastbreak, only to be fouled hard by Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham, who wrapped her arms around Sheldon mid-layup attempt. Connecticut’s Lindsay Allen and Sheldon both confronted Cunningham as players from both benches stepped in to separate the confrontation.
Following review, Sheldon, Allen, and Cunningham were all ejected from the game.
Despite the back-and-forth drama, Indiana maintained control throughout and secured their win with a 17-point margin.
