'Just a Basketball Play': Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Address Flagrant Foul in Fever’s Rout of Sky

Clark, who finished with her third career triple-double — 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and a career-high four blocks — addressed the incident during the broadcast and again postgame.

“Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” Clark said. “It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion. It’s a take foul to put them at the free-throw line. I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life, that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.”

Clark reiterated her stance later, adding, “Either Angel gets wide open two points, or we send them to the free throw line. Nothing malicious about it. Every basketball player knows that.”

She thanked Boston for stepping in, saying, “I appreciate A.B. having my back.”

Boston, unaware she’d received a technical foul until after the game, appeared stunned when told by reporters.

Reese, who posted 12 points and 17 rebounds in her WNBA debut, was terse in her postgame comments.

“Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,” Reese said. A team spokesperson declined to allow additional questions on the subject.

Sky head coach Tyler Marsh echoed Reese’s comments, pausing before calling it “just a basketball play.”

Indiana Fever Use Incident for Momentum

The exchange fueled the most popular individual rivalry in the WNBA. Clark and Reese have been linked since their epic NCAA showdowns — from LSU’s national title win 2023 to Iowa’s revenge victory in the 2024 rematch that drew over 12 million viewers.

Indiana used the incident as a springboard, closing the third quarter on a 9-0 run after Reese’s free throws trimmed the lead to 11. The Fever’s response pushed the margin to 20 heading into the fourth, and they never looked back.

Head coach Stephanie White praised the physicality and defensive mindset of her team.

“Nobody’s going to get anything easy against us,” White said. “We’re going to be a tough defensive team. I thought it was a clear play on the ball as well.”

Clark echoed that perspective.

“I went for the ball, clear as day in the replay,” she said. “You watch it, you know it shouldn’t have been upgraded. Again, that’s up to the refs’ discretion.”

The Fever’s 35-point margin of victory matched the second-largest in franchise history — and sent an early message about Clark’s command and Indiana’s potential.