Caitlin Clark is padding her stats sheet with every WNBA game she plays in her rookie season. And that means every part of the stat sheet.
Sure, the Fever rookie ranks in the top 15 in the league in scoring and in the top five in assists. One of her other top categories? Technical fouls.
Clark has received three techs in her first nine games. The passionate point guard often went head-to-head with referees during her record-breaking NCAA career, but the frequent penalties could put the former Iowa star in dangerous territory in the WNBA.
While her logo 3s are still capturing the attention of fans around the country, it's Clark's fiery attitude and costly fouls that stand out right now as she adjusts to the professional game.
Clark leads the WNBA in technical fouls so far in 2024. Here's a look at how she earned those fouls and who else is on the league leaderboard.
MORE: How many points does Caitlin Clark have so far in 2024?
Caitlin Clark technical fouls
May 20: Sun 88, Fever 84
Clark received her first tech of the season in her fourth WNBA game.
The 22-year-old rookie took issue with referees in the fourth quarter after Sun forward Alyssa Thomas stole the ball away from her at the halfcourt line. Clark picked up a transition take foul on the ensuing Connecticut breakaway.
"That's a f–ing foul," Clark told the official.
Caitlin Clark picks up a technical foul late in the 4th quarter. pic.twitter.com/hAC5JBL0e5
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 21, 2024
Luckily for the Fever, the Sun made just one of two free throws and did not convert on the next possession. Still, the foul helped swing momentum toward Connecticut, and Indiana lost by just a few points.
May 28: Sparks 88, Fever 82
Clark's second tech resulted from another argument with referees during the Fever's loss to the Sparks.
“We’re spending too much time talking to the officials. We’ve got to leave that alone. We’ve got to just play our game and let them do their job and not put it in their hands,” Indiana coach Christie Sides said after the game. “We shouldn’t get technicals. Let me get the technicals.”
May 30: Storm 103, Fever 88
Clark received her second technical in as many games and her third on the season in a loss to Seattle.
This time, the penalty wasn't for arguing with a referee but for getting into it with Storm guard Victoria Vivians. The two bumped shoulders before Fever forward Aliyah Boston pulled her teammate away. Both Clark and Vivians were issued techs.
CAITLIN CLARK AND VICTORIA VIVIANS GETTING INTO IT
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) May 30, 2024
Double techs for both, this came after a 30+ footer from Clark. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/rMsF4k1ScR
Sides also received a tech for arguing with officials immediately following the dust-up between Clark and Vivians.
“I feel like I’m getting hammered, I don’t know," Clark told reporters after the game. “I appreciate Christie getting a tech too. I don’t know.”
MORE: How Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese stack up in their rookie season
WNBA technical foul leaders 2024
Clark leads the league with three technicals this season entering June 1. Diana Taurasi and Natasha Cloud, who both play for the Mercury, have two each, while several players and coaches have recorded one.
Taurasi is no stranger to techs. She lead the league in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, according to Across the Timeline. WNBA legend Cheryl Miller and former head coach Richie Adubato are tied for the single-season record (10).
MORE: Will Caitlin Clark make 2024 Olympic roster for Team USA?
Here's how this year's technical foul count looks so far in the 2024 WNBA season.
| Place | Player | Total |
| 1 | Caitlin Clark | 3 |
| 2 | Natasha Cloud | 2 |
| Diana Taurasi | 2 | |
| 4 | Victoria Vivians | 1 |
| Christie Sides | 1 | |
| Sabrina Ionescu | 1 | |
| Sug Sutton | 1 | |
| Kayla Thornton | 1 | |
| Curt Miller | 1 | |
| Wings | 1 | |
| Kayla McBride | 1 | |
| Kahleah Copper | 1 | |
| Shakira Austin | 1 | |
| Eric Thubault | 1 | |
| Diamond DeShields | 1 | |
| Teaira McCowan | 1 |
WNBA technical foul suspensions
Once a player receives their seventh technical foul of the season, they are suspended for one game, per WNBA rules. Every additional tech equals an additional one-game suspension.
Players also get fined for their fouls. Techs one through three cost $200 each, four through six cost $400 each and seven and up bring an $800 fine.
