ESPN analyst Monica McNutt had hesitations about the WNBA’s decision to rescind a technical foul against Fever star Caitlin Clark after Indiana’s 90-86 win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday.
During ESPN’s halftime coverage of the Liberty-Aces game on Sunday, McNutt — the Knicks’ radio analyst — made a face and leaned back in her chair after Chiney Ogwumike said, “The right thing happened,” referring to the WNBA’s call to rescind the technical foul.
“All I’m saying is I have flashbacks to college when my teammate bumped into a coach like this and it was a problem,” McNutt, who played college basketball as a guard for the Georgetown Hoyas from 2007-2011, responded.
“But I think when we analyze it, if Caitlin didn’t say anything [to the referee], it is marginal. I think rescinding it was fine. But I do understand in the moment how we got here.”
The Fever immediately appealed Clark’s eighth technical foul — handed to her after she made light contact with an official along the baseline during the third quarter — which would’ve carried a one-game suspension.
The WNBA reversed the call less than two hours after the game Saturday.
ESPN host Malika Andrews asked analyst Andraya Carter if she was “good” after noting that she let out a “deep sigh” following McNutt’s take.
“It’s always something,” Carter replied. “My goodness.”
Carter added that she was “surprised a technical foul was called” in the first place.
Ogwumike, who is a two-time WNBA All-Star, said that she was “glad” the technical foul was rescinded.
Clark will be available to play against the Liberty on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Fever head coach Stephanie White also received a technical foul while arguing the technical against Clark.
“My tech was for saying that’s bulls–t, even though I heard the F-bomb the whole f–king game,” White said.
