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Injured Indiana Fever Player Shares Problem With Referees in WNBA Playoffs
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- Injured Indiana Fever Player Shares Problem With Referees in WNBA Playoffs
The Indiana Fever defeated the Las Vegas Aces in Game 2 of their WNBA playoff series, 99-89. Caitlin Clark , Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell led the way, with the trio combining for 75 points.
While it was a dominant win for the Fever, it wasn't without issues. Indiana was called for 24 fouls, allowing Las Vegas to shoot 34 free throws and make 30 of them. Clark was even disqualified from the game after committing six fouls.
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In contrast, the Fever had only 24 free throws and made 17 of them. The Aces were called for just 19 fouls.
Fever guard Tyasha Harris , who is out for the playoffs after breaking her left fibula in Indiana's final game of the regular season against the Minnesota Lynx , couldn't help but notice how easily the referees called the fouls instead of allowing some physicality.
"Here we go with these whistles," Harris wrote on X during the game.
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In a follow-up post, Harris clarified that her issue with the officiating is that the referees blow the whistle on what she described as "touchy touchy calls." She emphasized that she's not accusing the Aces of getting "special whistles."
"I ain't say special whistles btw so don't put words in my mouth … I'm just saying these whistles as in when ref call these touchy touchy calls !! So don't start with me," Harris added .
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) argues a call during game two of the first round for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs against the Las Vegas Aces.Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
For what it's worth, Harris was not the only member of the Fever to have a problem with how the game was officiated. Clark herself complained in her postgame press conference, stating that the referees "struggled" as the calls were inconsistent.
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"It's just so inconsistent. And you call an offensive foul on me and then I'm getting hit the same way on the defensive end and it's a foul on me. It doesn't make sense," Clark shared. "They just have to be better. It's the playoffs. Either call it all the time or don't. But be consistent."
As the Fever and Aces meet in a do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday, there will certainly be plenty of eyes on the officiating and how it will affect the contest.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
