Caitlin Clark has fan removed from WNBA playoff game in tense altercation

During Wednesday's playoff match between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at the Mohegan Sun Arena, a fan was removed from his seat .

In the first quarter, with the Fever leading 14-13, star rookie Caitlin Clark pointed out a second-row fan to two on-court referees, who was then escorted out within a minute by an arena security worker.

Following the incident , DeWanna Bonner of the Sun appeared to exchange words with Clark before being held back by teammates. Clark then joined a huddle with fellow Indiana players Lexie Hull and NaLyssa Smith.

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This all occurred while the Fever contested a foul call , which they won, and the foul was correctly reassigned to Lexie Hull. The Indiana Star reported that the fan was allowed to return to his seat once the play ended.

When asked about the incident in an ESPN interview after the first quarter, Clark simply said: "Just stay focused on what's on the floor and for the other teammates that are right here with me,".

Clark and the Fever were on the edge, needing a victory to stay in the playoffs after falling behind in the best-of-three series with the Sun at 93-69. The gifted first-year player had a tough Game One, sinking just four out of 17 attempts for 11 points.

She upped her game against the Sun on Wednesday, racking up 25 points. Yet, it wasn't enough to fend off defeat as they bowed out with an 87-81 loss, cutting short her impressive debut season.

Clark isn't the only top-tier hoopster to clash with a courtside spectator. Los Angeles Lakers ace LeBron James got a fan booted in Atlanta in 2021 after he flagged an official down and theatrically singled out an antagonist in the front.

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James was exchanging words with some Hawks supporters when one erupted, screaming "Shut up, don't talk to my husband like that."

Russell Westbrook's encounter came while with the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game against Philadelphia in 2016. A front-row heckler threw him two birds.

Westbrook responded with cool composure, pointing out the provoker to refs, looking bewildered, as his Thunder teammates rallied around him.

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