The WNBA has imposed fines on Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky due to their failure to comply with the league’s media obligations following their recent defeat to the Indiana Fever on Saturday. This highly anticipated game, which reignited the rivalry between former college competitors Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, delivered plenty of drama. Emotions ran high, particularly after a hard foul by the Sky’s Chennedy Carter on Clark, which became a major talking point. Reese, known for her expressive celebrations, was especially vocal when her teammate scored against the top draft pick. Yet, Reese did not attend the mandatory post-game press conference after the Sky’s narrow 71-70 loss, leading to a $1,000 fine for the ex-LSU standout. The Chicago Sky franchise was also penalized $5,000 for failing to ensure player compliance with media duties.
While Chennedy Carter did face the media, she was notably tight-lipped about her foul on Clark. Initially ruled a common foul by game referees, the league later upgraded it to a Flagrant 1. “I’m not answering any questions about Caitlin Clark,” Carter declared when pressed about the incident.
Caitlin Clark Reacts to Carter’s Foul
Conversely, Caitlin Clark discussed the foul during an in-game interview, downplaying its severity while acknowledging its rough nature. “That’s just not a basketball move,” Clark remarked. “But, you know, I’ve got to push through it. That’s what basketball entails at this level. We’ve been playing physically, missed some easy shots, so hopefully those will go in during the fourth.”
The Sky’s defeat dropped their record to 3-4, while the Fever enjoyed their second victory of the season. The Sky players’ reluctance to engage with the media after the game hinted at a different atmosphere had they emerged victorious.