India, June 18 -- Tuesday night's Commissioner's Cup game between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun had reignited a heated rivalry between two former college foes. One of the central figures in the on-court drama was Jacy Sheldon, the Sun's rookie guard who got into a fiery altercation with Fever superstar Caitlin Clark.

With 9:13 left in the second quarter, Clark and Sheldon found themselves face-to-face. Sheldon wanted to say something to Clark, who did not want to listen to him. Fever star pushed the Sun guard a bit away, and the situation was instantly diffused. But that early clash was just the beginning.

The real fireworks came in the third quarter. As Clark backed Sheldon down at the top of the key, Sheldon poked Clark in the...