The Las Vegas Aces eliminated the Indiana Fever 94-83 in a decisive Game 3, ending Caitlin Clark's third season in the Round 1. The No. 3 seed Aces, led by A'ja Wilson's 36 points, put four players in double figures and shot 35 free throws compared to Indiana's 20.
However, a fourth-quarter no-call incident is making the rounds online because referees completely ignored a clear elbow from Jewell Loyd that left the Clark bleeding from her mouth.
With 3:18 remaining in the fourth quarter and Las Vegas leading 82-77, Clark and Loyd both jumped to contest a rebound. On the way down, Loyd's right arm made contact with Clark directly in the mouth.
Jul 12, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on during the third quarter of a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
Clark hit the deck and crawled to the baseline. Once play stopped, the trainer rushed over to check her out. She walked down the tunnel holding a towel to her face but quickly rushed back onto the court. Upon her return, she pulled back her lip to show the game officials her bloodied gums, demanding to know why a foul wasn't assessed.
Because the officiating crew did not blow a whistle on the play, the contact was ineligible for a formal review, leaving Indiana with no option to challenge the missed call. Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated noted that while the collision appeared to be inadvertent, an arm to the face that causes bleeding should still result in a whistle.
Caitlin Clark fans wasted no time weighing in on X after the intense Game 3.
One fan wrote , "This league really does hate this woman smh."
Another added , "The aces could pull out a gun and shoot her at center court and the refs still wouldn't call a foul on them."
A third one noted , "The refs should get a cut from the Aces. Shitshow of a league."
The fourth viewer remarked
, "The refs and the league have something against her… I hope the WNBA fails and goes bankrupt"
Another fan noted
, "Refs seeing blood and still shrugging is a special kind of nothing call."
Clark's supporters have long argued she is officiated differently. The Associated Press noted that many fans claim opponents get far more latitude to be physical with her. In Game 2, she made WNBA playoff history with a 27-point, 15-assist performance before fouling out.
The physical toll peaked in Game 3 when a missed elbow left her bleeding from the mouth. Asked after the game why officials refused to review the contact, Clark gave a blunt response: "Your guess would be as good as mine."
With the 2-1 series victory secured, the Aces advance to the best-of-five WNBA Semifinals starting Sunday, where they await their next opponent.
