‘I Need to Do Better,’ ‘Maybe I Should Chill’ — Caitlin Clark Makes Honest Admission About Major Source of Criticism

Caitlin Clark has never been shy about showing emotion on the court, but the Indiana Fever star says one part of her competitive reputation may be overstated.

During Tuesday's special episode of Kylie Kelce's "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, she was asked about her on-court behavior, leading to a candid admission about one tendency she knows she needs to work on.

Caitlin Clark Admits Referees Get More of Her Attention Than Opponents

Kelce asked whether the former No. 1 pick was an underrated trash talker, and she disagreed .

"See, people always think that I'm a trash talker. I don't even think I really am," Clark said.

She explained that her exchanges with opponents are usually playful, recalling a moment against Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty during the 2025 season:

"There was a clip that went viral last year when we played the Liberty and I made a 3 over Stewie. And me and Stewie just both started laughing, 'cause it was funny."

The Fever guard then brought up another part of her on-court behavior:

"I don't really trash talk like that, honestly. I mean, if somebody says something to me, I'll probably go back. Honestly, the people I talk to the most is the refs, which I need to do better at. Maybe I should chill on that a little bit."

Kelce later asked if any particular player stood out as a trash talker. She said opponents rarely direct much trash talk her way.

"People don't really talk trash to me," Clark said, drawing a "What a flex" from Kelce.

The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year added that she enjoys those exchanges when they happen.

"I want you to say something to me," Clark said. "And I try to honestly do my best to just act like I can't hear. I love that. I think that's funny."

Her interactions with officials drew attention throughout the 2026 season, including an August technical foul that nearly resulted in a suspension.

During Indiana's 90-86 win over the Chicago Sky on Aug. 8, Natasha Cloud bumped Clark as she drove along the baseline. The Fever floor general passed the ball and went out of bounds, where her momentum carried her into an official.

The contact initially resulted in her eighth technical foul of the season. Fever coach Stephanie White also received one for arguing the call.

Indiana appealed immediately, and the WNBA rescinded the technical, ESPN's Kareem Copeland reported. The decision spared Clark a suspension that would have kept her out of the Fever's Aug. 11 home game against the Liberty.

It was the first time that season the Fever had successfully appealed a technical foul assessed to Clark. Even with the eighth rescinded, her seven technicals were tied for the most in the WNBA at that point.

The three-time All-Star picked up her second technical foul of the playoffs in her final game on Oct. 1. She and Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner were assessed double technical fouls in the first quarter of Game 3 en route to Indiana's season-ending 94-83 road loss.