WNBA fouls Caitlin Clark on Chennedy Carter, fines Angel Reese for no postgame interview | The National Sport

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA upgraded Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter’s foul on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 on Sunday after reviewing the play.

Carter gave a shoulder shot to Clark who knocked her to the floor before an inbounds pass during the third quarter of the Fever’s 71-70 win Saturday. The referees called it a foul away from the ball and did not review the play. It was considered a common mistake at the time.

“I didn’t expect it,” Clark said after the game. “It is what it is. It’s a physical game. Go to the free throw and execute on offense and I feel like we did.”

Carter did not respond to questions about Clark or the game after the game.

The league fined Sky forward Angel Reese $1,000 for not making himself available to the media after Saturday’s game. The WNBA also fined Chicago $5,000 for failing to ensure all players followed the league’s media policies.

The league office may reclassify a flagrant foul or move a foul to a flagrant that is not canceled during the game. In addition, the league can fine or suspend a player for a flagrant foul. The WNBA didn’t do Carter either.

Players accumulate points for flagrant fouls during the regular season and receive suspensions if they reach a certain number.

Indiana coach Christie Sides praised Clark in her postgame interview Saturday for keeping her composure during the physical game she’s faced this season.

“We’re going to continue to send these possessions into the league and these plays, and hopefully they’ll start to, you know, take a better look at some of the things that we see happening or think are happening,” she said. “I’m even more glad Caitlin did the way she did. You know, it’s hard to keep getting hit the way she does and not be rewarded with free throws or foul calls. She kept fighting through it. I appreciate that from her. Really, really proud of her for doing that.”

Clark finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Reese had eight points and 13 rebounds.

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