Sunday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky gave basketball fans another chance to see one of college basketball’s great rivalries between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese play out in the WNBA.
And just as we saw in their matchups at Iowa and LSU (and Maryland), their competitiveness and physicality were on display. In the second half of the Fever’s 91-83 win, Clark took a hard hit to the head as a late-reacting Reese tried to make a play on the ball.
Officials reviewed the play and called a flagrant 1 foul on Reese, and Clark would stay in the game.
After review, Angel Reese called for a flagrant 1 for this foul against Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/xziAPf6ZGp
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 16, 2024
But despite the hard foul, Clark had no animosity towards Reese about the contact. She knew it was an attempt on the ball, and that sort of thing happens in basketball.
Caitlin Clark on the flagrant 1 foul from Angel Reese: “It’s just part of basketball, it is what it is, she was trying to make a play on the ball.” pic.twitter.com/MOFsfAslNq
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 16, 2024
“It’s just a part of basketball,” Clark said.
When asked about the rivalry between the two players, Clark went on to say that it showcases their passion — something that is great for women’s sports.
Caitlin Clark on what draws lots of attention to the CC-Angel Reese matchup: “the emotion and the passion that we play with… I think that’s maybe not something that was always appreciated in women’s sports… it’s gonna get a little feisty, it’s gonna get physical.”
Full clip: pic.twitter.com/lSKwBQ5gt3
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) June 16, 2024
Reese also told reporters that she was making a play on the ball as both players seemed ready to move on from the foul.
Fans also appreciated Clark’s thoughtful response to the foul and her rivalry with Reese.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
That’s been settled. It’s done here.
“We’re on to Cincinnati” https://t.co/axmR4eRhRI
— Graham V. (@Graham_Valdes) June 16, 2024
If nothing else, I appreciate that Caitlin seems to always make an effort to de-escalate media frenzy though it may backfire sometimes https://t.co/QjFOVHLFI3
— Wavy Lady 🌊 (@JaMuzik) June 16, 2024
Great answer. Honest answer. Correct answer.
Onto the next game. https://t.co/4KNZrOCUIw
— E-san al Gaib (@scoobEdont) June 16, 2024
Settled. Done. Hopefully, we don't get 40-minute segments about it on a Morining show. https://t.co/nLJVueH7pV
— Black Sabre Jr. (@thedetroitdon__) June 16, 2024
With this being said, let’s all move along! https://t.co/h5fdndr7Bb
— TJ Keasal (@_talkswithtj) June 16, 2024
Exactly like y’all do too much. Ppl acting like Angel tried to harm her bffr https://t.co/miTaqGvgW2
— Latesia (@Latesia27) June 16, 2024
