Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard Clash in Bumps and Barbs During Intense Fever-Dream Matchup

When teams face each other two times within just three days, tensions often rise.

Exactly what transpired during Thursday’s game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream was this: By the conclusion of the first quarter, Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard were involved in an altercation where they pushed one another and had a tense exchange of words near midcourt before being intervened.

On Tuesday, The Fever and Dream engaged in a physically demanding match, where Indiana mentioned they were “manhandled.” They ended up losing with a score of 91-90. This heightened level of competition seems to have carried over into today.

📲
Follow The Sporting News via WhatsApp

Here’s an overview of the disagreement between Clark and Howard

SN’s WNBA HQ:

Live WNBA scores
|
Updated WNBA standings
|
Full WNBA schedule

Caitlin Clark-Rhyne Howard altercation

Towards the conclusion of the opening period, as Clark was bringing the ball upcourt beyond the halfway line, it seemed that the officials halted play due to a potential infraction occurring elsewhere on the court. When Clark slowed down upon meeting Howard, an elbow made contact with Howard’s chest area. This action incensed Howard, leading to both players engaging in verbal exchanges until they were eventually pulled apart.

Apparently, lip readers managed to interpret what Clark mouthed to Howard as: “I’m not afraid of you.”

This disagreement follows an intensely physical match between the Fever and the Dream.
Tuesday
Indiana’s coach Stephanie White mentioned that her team must discover how to tackle the difficulties presented by Atlanta during this evening’s match.

We will face their attempts to pressure us, jostle us, and restrain us,” White stated. “We must be prepared for anything they attempt as long as it’s within what’s permitted, and we need to find ways to turn their physical dominance back on them.

Caitlin Clark statistics versus Dream

After the altercation on Thursday, Clark found it difficult to get into an offensive groove. She managed only 11 points in the Fever’s 81-76 victory, marking her poorest scoring output of the nascent season. Below is her complete statistical record for the game.

Rhyne Howard’s statistics against the Fever

Howard performed consistently on both ends of the court, scoring 24 points and contributing with two steals and a block, however, it still wasn’t sufficient to defeat the Fever for the second consecutive match. Below is her statistics sheet from Thursday.