WNBA upgrades foul on Caitlin Clark by Chennedy Carter, fines Angel Reese for no postgame interview

WNBA upgrades foul on Caitlin Clark by Chennedy Carter, fines Angel Reese for no postgame interview

In a recent development following the intense matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever, the WNBA has upgraded Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter's foul against Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 violation. The decision came after a thorough review of the incident, which occurred during the third quarter of the Fever's narrow 71-70 victory over the Sky on Saturday.

The play in question involved Carter delivering a shoulder shot to Clark, knocking her to the floor before an inbound pass. Initially, the officials on the court called it an away-from-the-ball foul and did not review the play, classifying it as a common foul at the time. The league's reassessment has now changed that classification.

Reflecting on the incident, Clark commented, “I wasn’t expecting it. It is what it is. It’s a physical game. Go make the free throw and execute on offense, and I feel like that’s kind of what we did.”

Carter, who did not address the incident immediately after the game, spoke to the media on Monday. “I’m a competitor, and I’m going to compete no matter who you are, and no matter who’s in front of me. So that’s just what it was,” she stated. “Heat of the moment play. We’re getting at it. We’re getting back and forth. It’s basketball. It’s all hoops. After we finish the game, it’s all love.”

She further expressed her frustration with the criticism she received, urging fans and critics to consider the full context of her actions. “I’m seeing a lot of things — players, fans not understanding who I am as a player. You have to understand me as a person, too. And don’t just look at one tape and form an opinion about me. I’m truly a passionate person about the game, and I’m genuine. You can ask all my teammates, they’ve gotten to know me. They know the real Chennedy Carter. So I’m just saying, don’t form an opinion off of one little clip. And you didn’t even see the whole game and/or the play that led to that.”

Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon addressed the situation, acknowledging Carter's competitive spirit but emphasizing the importance of appropriate conduct. “Physical play, intensity, and a competitive spirit are hallmarks of Chicago Sky basketball. Chennedy got caught up in the heat of the moment in an effort to win the game,” Weatherspoon stated. “She and I have discussed what happened and that it was not appropriate, nor is it what we do or who we are. Chennedy understands that there are better ways to handle situations on the court, and she will learn from this, as we all will.”

In a separate disciplinary action, the WNBA fined Sky forward Angel Reese $1,000 for failing to make herself available to the media after Saturday’s game. Additionally, the Chicago Sky organization was fined $5,000 for not ensuring that all players comply with league media policies.

The league's ability to reclassify fouls and impose fines or suspensions is part of its effort to maintain fair play and sportsmanship. While Carter did not receive further fines or suspensions, her flagrant foul contributes to a points system that can lead to suspensions if players accumulate too many points over the season.

Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides weighed in on the incident, praising Clark for her composure amid physical play. “This league is awesome, it’s a physical league. That was a non-basketball play that needed to be called in that moment,” Sides said before their game against the New York Liberty. She continued, “She showed it last night. Got up and kept playing. All she did was ask the officials to review it. They didn't want to listen to it. I applaud her for how she handled it last night.”

Despite the physical challenges, Clark put up a strong performance with 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Reese also contributed significantly with eight points and 13 rebounds. Reflecting on her resilience, Clark noted, “I grew up playing basketball with the boys. It’s always been physical and feisty and you have to find a way to hold your own.”

The WNBA's actions underscore its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game while balancing the competitive spirit that defines professional basketball.