Chennedy Carter has been taking some heat over the last day for a hip-check on Caitlin Clark in Saturday’s meeting between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever.
The play in question came late in the third quarter and was deemed unnecessary by many, as Carter sent Clark took the ground as she awaited an inbound pass. It was the latest example of Clark’s not-so-warm welcome to the WNBA, which has led Indiana to submit plays to the league for review.
Though it appeared Carter’s altercation with Clark may have stemmed from at least one play earlier, when Clark said something to her, Carter declined to answer questions about it after the game. So we don’t know exactly why she felt the need to do it.
Chennedy Carter on the sequence with Caitlin Clark in the 3rd quarter: “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions.”
Full clip: pic.twitter.com/4bRnyXgPjV
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) June 1, 2024
However, a glance through Carter’s social media feed might provide all the answers you need to know.
Since the end of the game, Carter has shared fan posts to her Instagram story, liked tweets on X and even tweeted things herself related to the game, her stellar performance and even Clark. Some not as subtle as others, like this Threads post saying “beside three point shooting what does she bring to the table.”
Post by @chennedycarterView on Threads
Some of that activity may shed light on why she committed the foul. The social media reactions span from people saying Clark started it to people thinking Clark flopped to people saying it’s just basketball.
These were some of the posts Carter liked or responded to on X.
Caitlin Clark started it
yeah this the play lol
— H O L L Y W O O D 🛬 (@ChennedyCarter) June 1, 2024
Here's an extended look at the Caitlin Clark – Chennedy Carter incident, there was more to it than the shoulder check and Clark was clearly talking to her on the way back up the floor from the prior basket by Indiana pic.twitter.com/1XG1RyzTw4
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 1, 2024
Caitlin had some smoke for Chennedy the possession before
Chennedy responded 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/uK0ELP7xVt
— Future Of The Retro (@TraeK_) June 1, 2024
The aggressor/initiator but then wants to play victim. Classic tale. https://t.co/6ihRb4wvYf
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) June 2, 2024
Lmao fckd around and found out 30 seconds later I’m wheezing https://t.co/WKMRa9cc9c
— taraji p henchmen (@theeluvvbelow) June 1, 2024
It’s a part of competition
"It is players doing what players do, it is competitors doing what competitors do."@SheKnowsSports on the incident between Caitlin Clark and Chennedy Carter pic.twitter.com/i49HaN9qcR
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 1, 2024
yall are so soft 😭 https://t.co/3EanoLqdsy
— Ri 🤎 (@rianegriffin) June 1, 2024
It’s just hoops. Walk it like you talk it. CC can handle it. It’s good for the WNBA. https://t.co/yACfIPaNFV
— Nick Van Exel (@vanexel31) June 1, 2024
Caitlin flopped
This was a crazy ass flop. No one she should’ve fallen down like that 😭 https://t.co/GYLHPmgVj3
— Fuego 🌶️🔥 (@_TheeFINISHER) June 1, 2024
Caitlin Clark getting pushed by Chennedy Carter pic.twitter.com/f8kwfRgv3n
— marleejo⁷(•᷄ɞ•᷅)🧚🏽#JIMIN (@marleefinz) June 1, 2024
I think it’s reasonable to say Clark may have both started it and flopped, but Carter also took it a little too far. The conversation doesn’t need to go beyond that.