Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts to a flagrant foul from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on Saturday, May 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky, 93-58. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Chicago Sky Coach Defends Angel Reese's Reaction to Caitlin Clark Flagrant Foul

Originally posted on Women's Fastbreak on SI
By Grant Young | Last updated May 18, 2025 3:07 PM ET

During the third quarter of the May 17 WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever, Fever star guard Caitlin Clark was given a flagrant foul after she wrapped up and then appeared to shove Sky superstar Angel Reese while Reese was going up for a layup.

This prompted Reese to jump up and attempt to get in Clark's face in order to give her some choice words, before she was pushed away by Clark's teammate, Aliyah Boston. As a result of this dust-up, both Boston and Reese were given offsetting technical fouls.

Angel Reese takes exception to this Caitlin Clark foul pic.twitter.com/zV23fdfu23
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) May 17, 2025

Given that Reese and Clark are arguably the two biggest superstars in women's basketball and have a storied rivalry that dates back to 2023, this moment between them was always going to cause a major stir.

However, Sky head coach Tyler Marsh defended his player's actions when speaking with the media after the game.

"Yeah, I think it’s a little misrepresentation to [say the team needed to] calm her down," Marsh said of Reese's response, per an X post from James Boyd of The Athletic. "I think emotions were high on both sides. And so, I think Angel reacted in a way that any of us would react at a moment like that.

"So for her, I think it's, for us, just understanding that we are all in this together. We got her back in that locker room and on this coaching staff, and it will continue to be that way throughout the season," he added.

#Sky HC Tyler Marsh on Angel Reese’s reaction to the flagrant foul she got from #Fever’s Caitlin Clark:

“I think it’s a little misrepresentation to (say we needed to) ‘Calm her down.’ I think emotions were high on both sides … Angel reacted in a way that any of us would …” pic.twitter.com/VsVxo4SkXM
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) May 17, 2025