Caitlin Clark on the bench: Dave Portnoy blasts ‘idiot refs’ as WNBA star commits two questionable fouls in first five minutes of Indiana Fever debut

Dave Portnoy was left furious just minutes after Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever debut – with the new WNBA star on the bench after two questionable fouls in the first five minutes.

Clark was twice adjudged to have fouled Alyssa Thomas during the opening exchanges, prompting coach Christie Sides to remove her from the field to reduce the risk of her reaching a total of six and fouling a fault.

Clark, who ended up scoring 20 points on a night that ended in a season-opening loss to the Connecticut Sun, could be heard yelling “that’s not a foul” after the second call.

Portnoy and many fans watching at home felt Sides had no choice after what they considered terrible officiating calls at a sold-out Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Barstool Sports founder took to its 5 seconds of play.” How stupid are you?

Caitlin Clark was benched early in her Indiana Fever debut for two questionable fouls

It was a rough start for Clark as the Fever faced the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Many fans followed suit by blaming the referees. One said: “Those referees at the Fever-Sun match need to realize how big Caitlin Clark’s debut is and be fired after the match.

“Sold out crowd, largest TV audience in WNBA history and they hit it with 2 bulls***, phantom fouls in the first 5 months. You could actually hear the TVs changing channels .

Another said: “I’m sure the WNBA is thrilled that their refs committed two questionable fouls on Caitlin Clark, sending her to the bench not even halfway through the first quarter on opening night.”

“They probably lost 70% of their audience before the first commercial break.”

Another fan wrote, “Great first quarter for the WNBA…more people watching opening night than maybe ever before, and the refs call two fouls on Caitlin Clark in the first five minutes and she passes the next five on the bench.

“No matter the sport, referees apparently can’t help it.”

But even though fans were disappointed with the referees, Sides acknowledged it was an overall problem for his team.

“We’re committing way too many fouls,” she told ESPN between the first and second quarters. The Connecticut Sun led 19-13 after the first quarter.

After starting the game 0-4, Clark got her first basket midway through the second quarter and she seemed to grow into the game as it went on.

But it ended up being a loss for Clark in her first WNBA game. The Sun ultimately won 92-71, although Clark scored 20 points.

His next game is Thursday against the New York Liberty.