Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon of the Chicago Sky expressed disapproval of Chennedy Carter’s flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, stating that such actions were not in line with their team’s values and behavior standards.
“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. 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,” Weatherspoon said.
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“As a team, we will grow together and continue to work hard to display strong leadership and set a positive example for our competitors, fans, and partners,” she concluded.
During the game on Saturday, Clark experienced a hard foul in the third quarter. In a surprising turn of events, Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter blindsided Clark, delivering a forceful shoulder check from behind during an inbounds play. While the referees initially deemed it a common foul, the league office later reviewed the incident and upgraded the call to a Flagrant 1 on Carter. Clark also addressed the incident following the Fever’s 71-70 victory, stating, “I wasn’t anticipating that. But the key is to respond, stay composed, and let your performance speak for itself. It is what it is.”
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As for Angel Reese, she’s been facing some backlash on social media for celebrating on the Sky bench immediately after Carter’s collision with Clark. Following the game, Reese declined to speak with reporters, resulting in a $1,000 fine. Additionally, the Sky were fined $5,000 for Reese’s breach of the WNBA media policy.
This game was highly competitive because of the history between Clark and Reese, the former standout from LSU, following their encounters in the NCAA Tournament over the previous two years. Clark concluded the game with 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, whereas Reese contributed eight points and secured 13 rebounds.