Angel Reese commits flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark in Sky vs. Fever rematch

In the first matchup between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever since Chennedy Carter’s now infamous shove on Caitlin Clark, there was even more drama.

Towards the end of the third quarter in a tight ball game, Sky rookie Angel Reese went up to contest a layup and ended up striking Clark across the head.

Officials immediately reviewed the play and upgraded the call to a flagrant one on Reese. There was no immediate retaliation or response by either team.

The Fever eventually won the game, 91-83, led by Clark’s 23 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Meanwhile, Reese finished with a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Despite both rookies putting on a show for fans at the Gainbridge Field House, much of the ensuing conversation will likely focus on that one moment.

Going back to their first matchup, a game the Fever also won, 71-70, all anyone could talk about after was Carter’s flagrant foul on Clark many considered a “non-basketball” play.

The discourse that followed for days was whether or not WNBA players were targeting the rookie sensation for the level of attention she has garnered.

And although Carter and others have denied any intent outside of a desire to compete and win, it hasn’t stopped supporters of Clark from seeing things differently.

To Reese’s credit though, her foul had a much stronger case to be considered within the realm of fair play than Carter’s antics. At least, Clark herself seems to think so.

“It’s just part of basketball,” the 22-year-old said postgame when asked about the foul, per Chloe Peterson. “It is what it is, she was trying to make a play on the ball.”

Meanwhile, Reese’s interpretation was similar but veiled with criticism of the officiating.

“We were playing really hard,” she said after the Sky’s fourth consecutive loss. “We went up strong a lot of times and didn’t get a lot of calls … I guess some people got a special whistle.”

The latest incident in a well-documented rivalry between Reese and Clark is sure to add more fuel to that fire. We’ll have to wait and see how WNBA fans react this time around.

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