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

The WNBA has taken disciplinary action following a physical altercation during Saturday's game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever. The league announced on Sunday that it has upgraded the foul committed by Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter against Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 violation after a thorough review.

The incident in question occurred in the third quarter of the Fever's narrow 71-70 victory. Carter delivered a shoulder shot to Clark, causing her to fall to the floor before an inbound pass. At the time, officials deemed it an away-from-the-ball foul and did not review the play further, classifying it as a common foul.

Reflecting on the incident, Caitlin Clark remarked, "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." Clark's composed response highlighted her resilience amidst the physical play.

Carter declined to comment on the altercation or Clark after the game, leaving the league to address the matter. The WNBA possesses the authority to reclassify or upgrade fouls post-game and can impose fines or suspensions accordingly. In this case, while Carter's foul was upgraded to a flagrant-1, no additional fines or suspensions were issued.

In a related development, the WNBA fined Sky forward Angel Reese $1,000 for not attending the postgame media session, a requirement under league policies. The Chicago Sky organization was also fined $5,000 for failing to ensure all players met their media obligations.

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides expressed her views on the physical nature of the league and the specific incident involving Carter and Clark. "This league is awesome, it’s a physical league. That was a non-basketball play that needed to be called in that moment," Sides commented before the Fever's game against the New York Liberty on Sunday night.

Sides also praised Clark's demeanor and resilience in dealing with the physicality of the game, noting, "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 incident, Clark delivered a strong performance, finishing the game with 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Angel Reese also contributed significantly with eight points and 13 rebounds.

Reflecting on her upbringing and experience, Clark stated, "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 fair play and ensuring that all players adhere to league standards, both on and off the court. For more WNBA coverage,