Dave Portnoy’s Fiery Take on WNBA Controversy: What Happened After Caitlin Clark’s Shove with Marina Mabrey?

Dave Portnoy is not happy with Marina Mabrey and the WNBA. His anger flared when Mabrey clashed with star player Caitlin Clark during a recent game between the Connecticut Sun and the Indiana Fever.

“Can you believe they didn’t kick Marina Mabrey out for that?!” he wrote on X, sharing a clip of the incident. “The league is a joke. Caitlin shouldn’t have gotten a tech either; Mabrey got in her face first.”

The confrontation began when Jacy Sheldon, a guard for the Sun, poked Clark in the eye during the third quarter of the Fever’s 88-71 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Things escalated when Clark reacted by bumping into Sheldon. Mabrey then knocked Clark to the ground. Officials reviewed the play and decided to upgrade Sheldon’s foul to a flagrant 1. They also gave technical fouls to Clark, Mabrey, and Sun center Tina Charles.

Fans in the arena were furious about the calls, but no one seemed more outraged than Portnoy, who has been a big fan of Clark since she entered the league from Iowa.

After the game, the crew chief, Ashley Gloss, explained that Sheldon’s foul was deemed “unnecessary,” as the contact to Clark’s face could have caused injury. However, Gloss mentioned that Mabrey’s actions didn’t warrant a flagrant foul or ejection. “Mabrey’s contact wasn’t severe enough,” she said.

Later in the game, with Indiana leading, Sheldon made a fast break. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham pulled her to the ground, sparking another fight. Both players, along with Sun guard Lindsay Allen, were ejected.

This match was particularly notable for Clark, who was returning from a left quad strain that sidelined her for five games. She had a stunning comeback performance earlier, scoring a season-high of 32 points against the unbeaten Liberty.

Meanwhile, the WNBA continues to draw mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike, especially in moments like this. As the league grows, so does the intensity of the rivalries and the scrutiny of officiating.

For further insights about sports officiating and its impact, check out the NBA officiating rules which detail how referees make their decisions.

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