The rematch between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever was a highly anticipated game on Sunday afternoon with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese facing off in another chapter of their WNBA journey.
And things got a little testy when Reese hit Clark in the head on a block attempt in the third quarter of the Fever's 91-83 win, resulting in a flagrant foul.
A reporter asked Reese about the flagrant foul after the game, and she quickly interrupted him.
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Angel Reese, left, of the Chicago Sky reacts after fouling Caitlin Clark, right, of the Indiana Fever during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
“A basketball play. It was a basketball play,” Reese said. “I can't control the referees. They obviously affected the game a lot tonight.”
Reese insisted that the referees were not calling the same play on both ends of the court. The Sky were assessed 21 personal fouls as a team, while the Fever were assessed 17. Reese and fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso each committed five fouls.
SEE REESE'S BLOCK ATTEMPT ON X
“I think we came up really hard a lot of times and we didn't get a lot of calls,” Reese explained when asked about his and Cardoso's performance. “Going back and looking at the film, I've seen a lot of calls that weren't made. I guess some people got a special whistle. But we were just able to play hard as best we could.”
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It is unclear who Reese was referring to when he spoke of the “special whistle.”
As for Clark's thoughts on the flagrant foul, he had nothing bad to say about Reese. She agreed that the physical appearance was nothing malicious.
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark, left, drives to the basket against Chicago Sky's Marina Mabrey, right, during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
“What's going through my mind is, 'I need to make these two free throws,'” Clark said when a reporter asked his opinion immediately after the foul. “That's all I'm thinking about. Just part of basketball. It is what it is. Just trying to make a play on the ball and get the block. It happens.”
Clark continued to praise Reese's competitive spirit and using his platform to promote the game.
“I think it's just the excitement and passion that we play with,” Clark said. “I think people love to see that, and I think maybe it's not something that's always been appreciated in women's sports. And it should be. That's what makes it fun. We're competitors. That's the way the game should be. To get feisty, it's going to get physical. But at the end of the day, we're both trying to win.
“I think what she's done with her platform has been absolutely incredible, and she has a whole fan base that supports her because of what she did at Maryland and LSU. Obviously, I played against her for a long time and she's been a tremendous player. So , is competing against [her], and I think it's been really good for the game. And people love to see great matchups.
“But at the same time, people tune in to these matchups, but then they get to see how amazing these teams are and they find new players to root for. And they keep coming back for them, too. So, I think that's another benefit, honestly.” .
Angel Reese defended his attempt to block Caitlin Clark, which resulted in a flagrant foul. (Getty Images)
Fever head coach Christie Sides also believed officials “made the right decision” on the flagrant Reese. She also alluded to flagrant fouls that aren't called, which we've seen recently with Chennedy Carter's shove on Clark. It later became a flagrant foul. But during their previous confrontation, it was a common foul.
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“I was very proud of how everyone kept their composure,” Sides said. “The right decision was made at that time: flagrant-1, two free throws and the ball. Just make the right decision in those moments and we can move forward. When we don't make the right decision in those moments, that's when there's a problem .
“Tonight they made the right decision.”
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