The ongoing rivalry between Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever escalated on Sunday during the Fever’s 91-83 victory over the Sky. Reese received a Flagrant 1 foul after striking Clark on the head.
The incident occurred late in the third quarter with Clark driving towards the basket. Reese attempted to block the shot but ended up hitting Clark’s head, causing her to fall to the floor. Initially, the referees called it a personal foul on Reese. However, after reviewing the play, they upgraded it to a Flagrant 1. This decision allowed Clark to take two free throws, which she made, and the Fever kept possession of the ball.
Reese was visibly frustrated with the officials’ decision to upgrade the foul, insisting it was a legitimate attempt to block the shot. She expressed her discontent post-game, saying, “It was a basketball play, and I can’t control the referees. They had a significant impact on the game tonight. I’m always going for the ball. But now, they’re going to replay that clip numerous times before Monday.”
Reese also suggested that the officiating was inconsistent, claiming that similar fouls were not being called on the other end. “We went up strong multiple times and didn’t get many calls,” she stated. “Reviewing the footage, there were a lot of uncalled fouls. It seems like some players get preferential treatment.”
Clark, on the other hand, did not hold any ill will towards Reese regarding the foul. She acknowledged that Reese was making a legitimate play for the ball. “When it happened, I was focused on making the two free throws. It’s just a part of basketball,” Clark commented after the game. “She was trying to block the shot, and it happens.”
Clark had a stellar performance, finishing with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, along with eight rebounds, nine assists, and two blocks, leading the Fever to their second consecutive win of the season.
Reese, although contributing 11 points, struggled with her shooting, missing nine out of 13 attempts. Nevertheless, she was dominant on the boards, securing a team-high 13 rebounds and adding five assists. However, her effectiveness was limited due to foul trouble, accumulating five fouls during the game.
The game highlighted the intense competition and the emotional stakes involved in the rivalry between Reese and Clark. Despite the contentious foul, both players demonstrated a professional approach, acknowledging the physical nature of the sport and focusing on their respective performances. Clark’s composed response to the incident and her subsequent performance were pivotal in securing the Fever’s victory, while Reese’s frustration underscored the challenges faced during a tightly contested game.
