NaLyssa Smith, a key player for the Indiana Fever and teammate of Caitlin Clark, made headlines after a bench-clearing brawl erupted during a Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) game in China on Thursday. The 24-year-old forward, currently playing overseas for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, found herself at the center of the scuffle during a preseason scrimmage against Inner Mongolia.
Smith, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Fever in 2022, is one of many WNBA players who play internationally during the offseason to supplement their incomes. In her first season with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, Smith has already made an impact on the court — but it was her fiery reaction to a hard elbow that stole the spotlight. While fighting for a rebound in the low post, Smith took a sharp elbow from her defender, which led her to retaliate by throwing the ball directly at her opponent’s back. This action sparked an immediate response from Inner Mongolia’s bench, and soon, players from both teams rushed onto the court. While the altercation was quickly separated without escalating further, it led to multiple technical fouls being assessed during the game.
Despite the drama, Smith played a key role in her team’s 7-point victory, finishing with a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. The scrappy contest was filled with tensions, with a total of seven technical fouls called throughout the 40-minute match. Smith’s fiery temperament wasn’t the only one on display — the game had several other heated moments, making it clear that the preseason matchup was more than just a warm-up.
Off the court, Smith’s future with the Indiana Fever remains uncertain. Recently, she removed all references to the Fever from her social media, prompting speculation about her future with the team. Reports suggest that she may have been unhappy with the previous coaching staff’s decisions, particularly regarding her playing time. However, with Stephanie White now in charge as the Fever’s new head coach, Smith’s return to Indiana may be more likely, though it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
As Smith wraps up her time in China, fans will be watching closely to see if she returns to the WNBA for the 2025 season, and if so, whether she will remain with the Fever or pursue other opportunities. For now, she’ll look to stay focused on her game and avoid any further conflicts while playing overseas.
