RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesCaitlin Clark’s rescinded 8th technical foul sparks backlash against Monica McNutt, with WNBA world questioning her reaction.
The WNBA announced Saturday that it had rescinded Caitlin Clark’s technical foul from the previous day’s game against the Chicago Sky.
Had the penalty stood, the three-time All-Star would have missed Indiana’s next game because it would have been her eighth technical foul of the season, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
ESPN’s Monica McNutt, however, appeared less convinced that the WNBA made the right call.
WNBA Community Rips Monica McNutt for Caitlin Clark Take After Fever Star’s 8th Technical Is Rescinded
Clark drove into the lane during the third quarter of Saturday’s Fever-Sky matchup when Chicago guard Natasha Cloud bumped into her. The contact sent Clark out of bounds and into a referee, who immediately assessed her a technical foul.
Fever coach Stephanie White said during her postgame interview that the officiating crew believed Clark “intentionally sought out the official and threw the forearm.”
After reviewing the play, the league rescinded the technical. Former WNBA player Chiney Ogwumike agreed with the decision during Sunday’s WNBA Countdown, describing the contact as a “brush” and “minimal.”
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McNutt laughed at Ogwumike’s comments before adding:
“All I’m saying is I have flashbacks to college when my teammate bumped into a coach, and there was a problem. … But, we analyzed it. Caitlin didn’t say anything; (contact) is marginal; I think rescinding it was fine, but I do understand the moment, how we got here.”
McNutt’s remark quickly drew sharp reactions from the WNBA community.
“McNutt really about to short-circuit over a tech getting rescinded. Clark living rent-free in her head,” an X user wrote .
“Monica McNutt is PISSED the league rescinded Caitlin Clark’s technical foul,” BrickCenter posted.
“Of course, Monica McNutt is the only person that thinks Caitlin deserved the tech,” a WNBA observer added .
“McNutt does a solid job covering the Knicks, but man she must have some personal vendetta against CC. She’s terrible for the WNBA,” a basketball supporter continued .
“Monica McNutt. Smh, you wanted it to be something. Well, you played college, Caitlin Clark is in the WNBA!” podcaster Jaime Lardis tweeted .
“Another case of Monica McNutt sounding like she’s hating on Caitlin Clark. Monica didn’t even play in the WNBA, and it’s like Caitlin wrecked her brain. Please replace her with someone else on the show!” an X user reacted .
“Monica McNutt not even hiding it,” women’s basketball podcaster Rosalina Yee wrote .
“Dude, Monica McNutt has serious issues…. Like her hate is so blatant,” a Clark supporter commented .
This is the second time in roughly two weeks that the WNBA world has blasted McNutt over her Clark comments.
Previously, the ESPN analyst said the superstar point guard needed “accountability” and “self-awareness.” McNutt’s remark came after Clark told Malika Andrews that the media had sometimes mischaracterized her.
Clark appeared to expect the WNBA to rescind the technical. Immediately after Saturday’s win over the Sky, she told ESPN’s Holly Rowe during a courtside interview that she would see the reporter in New York on Tuesday.
SEE ALSO: ‘The WNBA Is At Fault Here’ – Clay Travis Blames the League As Caitlin Clark Refuses to Take Sides On Trans Athlete Debate Ignited By Sophie Cunningham
Under WNBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended for one game after accumulating eight technical fouls during the regular season.
Once that threshold is reached, the player or coach receives another one-game suspension for every other technical foul that follows.
That makes the rescinded call especially significant for Clark, with the Fever still having 12 games remaining. As the playoff race intensifies and every game becomes increasingly important, Indiana can ill afford to lose its superstar to a suspension.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
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