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Fever eliminated by Aces in Game 3 amid disputes over uncalled and called fouls

The Indiana Fever lost 94-83 to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3, ending their first-round playoff run. Coverage focuses on officiating: a non-call when Caitlin Clark was hit in the mouth and a foul called on Lexie Hull after she was thrown to the floor.

2 outlets · 0L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Fox News
Image: Newsweek

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The story, neutrally told

MixedThe Indiana Fever were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs when they lost to the Las Vegas Aces in Thursday night's Game 3. CentreNewsweek reports the Aces held on to win 94-83, ending Indiana's run in the first round. CentreWith 3:16 left in the fourth quarter, Caitlin Clark battled for a rebound against the Aces' Jewell Lloyd, whose arm and elbow hit Clark's face and mouth; no foul was called, according to Newsweek.

CentreClark left for the locker room, returned and showed a referee she was bleeding around her gums and teeth, and was sent to the sideline for treatment before she could play again. CentreMany fans criticised the officiating on X, while others said the contact was incidental between two players battling for a rebound; asked after the game whether she got an explanation of the non-call, Clark said, "Your guess would be as good as mine." CentreClark shot 6 of 18 and finished with 18 points, four assists and two rebounds.

RightFox News's OutKick column separately focuses on Fever guard Lexie Hull, who it says was put in an armbar-like hold and slammed to the ground yet was called for the foul. RightThe column says coach Stephanie White, Hull and the Fever bench asked for a review, but officials let the Aces shoot the free throws, which ended any chance of one, and gave no explanation. This is the column's account; Newsweek does not cover the play. RightThe column also recalls an earlier no-call this summer when Sophie Cunningham had her teeth cracked by an elbow, and calls WNBA officials the worst in sports.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Newsweek frames it as fan reaction to a no-call that left Clark bloodied, with play detail and Clark's quote.
Emphasis
Clark's injury, fan comments on X, and her stat line.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the Hull play or the review request.
Charged language
“Fans Furious”
For example
“Fever fans weren't happy after Caitlin Clark got hit in the mouth, began bleeding, and referees didn't call a foul.” — Newsweek

Right1 outlet

Framing
Fox News's OutKick runs an opinion column in clickbait style attacking WNBA referees over the Hull play.
Emphasis
The Hull call, the review request and the officials' lack of explanation.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives no score or game detail, and does not mention opposing views on the officiating.
Charged language
“horrible WNBA refs”“worst of the worst”“clueless refs”“Good riddance”
For example
“The WNBA refs are the worst of the worst” — Fox News
“See you in May, WNBA. Good riddance.” — Fox News