After analyzing the play, the WNBA on Sunday raised Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter’s foul against Indiana Fever freshman Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 incident.
Before an inbound pass, Carter struck Clark with a shoulder shot that sent her to the ground during the third quarter of the Fever’s 71-70 victory on Saturday. Without reviewing the play, the officials ruled it an away-from-the-ball foul. At the time, it was considered a common foul. Clark said,
“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.”
Following the game, Carter declined to comment on either Clark or the play.
Fine Gallore for Angel Reese and team vs Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese, a forward for Sky, was fined $1,000 by the league for not making herself available to the media following the game on Saturday. Chicago was also penalized $5,000 by the WNBA for neglecting to make sure that all players abided with the league’s media guidelines.
If a flagrant foul is not called during the game, the league office has the authority to elevate it to a flagrant foul or reclassify it. A player who commits a flagrant foul may also face fines or suspensions from the league. Carter was not helped by the WNBA either.
During the regular season, players accrue points for flagrant fouls; if they reach a predetermined threshold, they are suspended. Prior to Sunday night’s matchup against the New York Liberty, Indiana coach Christie Sides stated,
“This league is awesome, it’s a physical league,” “That was a non-basketball play that needed to be called in that moment.”
In her postgame interview on Saturday, Sides commended Clark for maintaining her poise despite all of the hard play she has encountered this season.
“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.”
