Caitlin Clark Goes on Trash-Talking Spree vs Valkyries

The WNBA issued a warning to the Indiana Fever for the handling of their injury report earlier this week.

All-Star guard Caitlin Clark was not listed on the team’s initial injury report released Tuesday evening, but she was ruled out with back soreness around an hour before the Fever’s Wednesday game against the Portland Fire. Indiana won without Clark, but Clark’s injury status still loomed over everything.

Clark returned to the starting lineup for the Fever’s matchup with the Golden State Valkyries on Friday night, and she issued a warning of her own.

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick filled up the stat sheet with a game-high 22 points and nine assists. In the process, Clark let the Valkyries know about it.

First, just before halftime, Clark swatted at the ball in the arms of Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun, who took exception with the extra contact.

They had to be separated by Veronica Burton as the benches flooded toward Clark and Salaun, who were jawing at each other and received a double technical

About midway through the third quarter, Clark drilled a 33-foot logo three to tie the game at 48 and exchanged trash talk with Valkyries All-Star guard Tiffany Hayes afterward.

With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Clark put a little extra shoulder into a screen on Burton, and after official review, it was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 foul.

Ultimately, Clark and the Fever got the last laugh, winning 90-82. It marked the Fever’s third straight win, and according to the ION broadcast, their 4-2 record is their best record through six games since the 2012 season, which ended with the franchise’s lone WNBA championship.

After the game, Clark was asked about the “chippiness” with Salaun, and she began answering her intent during the play but interrupted herself.

“Oh, did I get a technical?” Clark said in shock. “Oh, no way. It just makes sense for the refs tonight, so I’m not surprised. Wow. Wow, I could have got ejected. I should have been a little safer in the second half. OK, well, I guess I have some fines coming my way. And a flagrant. Wow.”

Clark added, “Well, the refs were interesting, but I’m not gonna say anything else because, obviously, I’ve got probably $1,000 worth of fines coming my way. But I was just trying to rebound.”

The Fever and Valkyries will be back at it in Golden State next Thursday night.

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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 7:54 PM.