Caitlin Clark Getting Poked in the Eye and Shoved Triggers Brawl

Caitlin Clark has a target on her back, or so it seems.

The WNBA star took the brunt end of what turned out to be a very chippy game Tuesday night between the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Things got tense in the second quarter when Sun guard Jacy Sheldon got into a verbal spat with Clark, prompting Clark to shove her. No harm, no foul. Literally.

Then things got tense.

Late in the third quarter, Clark and Sheldon got into it again as the former Iowa star dribbled up the court. Sheldon stayed close, prompting the guards to initiate contact. Sheldon appeared to reach for the ball, but instead poked Clark in the eye. Clark fumed and shoved Sheldon. Things went south from there, as Sun guard Marina Mabrey beelined it towards Clark and shoved her to the ground.

Whistles blew all over the place as refs tried to prevent a fracas. And even the announcers deduced Mabrey's shove would get get ejected from the game. 

Things are getting chippy in Fever-Sun 👀

Marina Mabrey shoved Caitlin Clark to the floor after Clark got poked in the eye by Jacy Sheldon.

It is currently under review.pic.twitter.com/LhWxGdP7Uh

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 18, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 17: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever reacts after being fouled in the third quarter against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Dylan Buell/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 17: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever falls to the floor after being pushed by Marina Mabrey #3 of the Connecticut Sun during an altercation in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Lacy: “you can’t do that”

Caitlin Clark: “I can do whatever the f*ck I wanna do” And then SHOVES her 💀💀💀pic.twitter.com/PWwXSwGZ7R

— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 18, 2025

The chippiness continues at the end of Fever-Sun 😳

Sophie Cunningham with a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon, who took exception to it.pic.twitter.com/EDdnYx8LLw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 18, 2025

Sheldon ultimately got hit with a flagrant 1 foul for poking Clark in the eye, while Clark was issued a technical for the shove. Mabrey also got a technical foul for her actions.

But the full-on brawl didn't unfold until the waning minute of the game, after the Fever's Sophie Cunningham fouled Sheldon so hard during a breakaway layup a brawl ensued behind the backboard. The brawl, at one point, even spilled near fans sitting behind the basket, who had to get up to avoid it.

While that melee didn't directly involve Clark, the tension had been building from the start and throughout the game, prompting the announcers to blame officials for letting it get out of hand.

In the end, Cunningham was automatically ejected after getting hit with a flagrant 2 foul, while Sheldon and teammate Lindsay Allen were ejected for fighting.

The Fever went on to beat the Sun, 88-71, for a spot in the Commissioner's Cup championship game. Indiana will face the Minnesota Lynx in that game on July 1.