Though the Indiana Fever won 86-77 against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday, star guard Caitlin Clark's technical foul woes continued. As Clark received her fifth technical foul of the season, coach Stephanie White's response sparked swift backlash from fans who felt she failed to defend her star.

Clark got her fifth on Monday as she had a scuffle with Mercury's DeWanna Bonner with 7:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, after which she clapped and got a technical for that. White was on the sidelines watching the scenario and had an opinion.

"She’s gotta be aware, certainly," White said, as posted by James Boyd on X. "I think there are some that we can do without. There are natural things that happen that the energy of the game creates when you do get those, but there are some that we can be in control of. Yes, we continue to remind her, and yes, she has to have an awareness."

As per the WNBA rules, a player gets a warning from the league after her fifth technical foul and gets a one-game ban after her eighth foul.

With this technical, Clark will now receive a warning letter from the WNBA. She is also just three technical fouls away from sitting out.

She previously got four of them against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 13, the Golden State Valkyries on May 22, the Chicago Sky on June 11, and the Connecticut Sun on June 13.

White certainly showed concern, but the fans also had responses to White's statement.

Fans React To Stephanie White's Statement On Caitlin Clark's Technical Fouls Chaos

Some fans were seemingly unhappy with the way White spoke about Clark needing to be aware of the fouls she was committing, urging them to comment.

After White's comment, a fan commented, "If this isnt evidence that she does NOT have CC's back, i don't know what is. this is pretty damning."

This also stems from their altercation in May against the Portland Fire.

This fan noted that Reeve has been known to back up her players during tough calls and wanted White to do the same. This indicated how Clark defended herself in the post-game interview.

"I’m gonna need her to start watching Cheryl Reeve on the sidelines to learn how to advocate for players so they don’t have to do it themselves," the fan wrote.

"Of shut up SW, no one cares what you think. Would love to have you suspended indefinitely."

White has been criticized by fans earlier for not being able to sustain a relationship with Clark, with this fan in particular calling for her suspension.

"She’s gotta be aware, is that all you got to say? This woman is a politician not a coach, nonsense." White repeatedly emphasized that the two-time All-Star should have awareness, but one fan was not satisfied with her response.

"Just a terrible response. Always blaming Caitlin. Never having her back. Unfortunately, not shocking at this point. Steph White continues to disappoint."

Although the fans were not happy with White's response, Clark was herself seen blaming the referees for the foul given, stating that it was "ridiculous" that she got a "technical for clapping."

Amid the controversial foul, Clark scored 24 points, made nine assists, and had three rebounds in the match. The Fever will next face the Mercury again on Wednesday, June 24.

Read More at Her Sports Nation!

Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Koushik Biswas