During a recent rematch between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, Caitlin Clark was the victim of more aggressive play on the court. Earlier in the season, Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter delivered a controversial blow, knocking Clark to the ground, eventually earning her a flagrant foul.
As the Sky and the Fever met for a rematch against each other, there was speculation as to whether Clark would be on the receiving end of similar contact. This indeed came to fruition as the standout rookie was seemingly smacked in the head by Angel Reese as she was driving to the basket for a layup, knocking Clark to the ground yet again.
Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy uploaded footage of the incident on X with the caption, “Shocker. Angelo Reese and the Sky doing Angel Reese and Sky stuff. By the way Caitlin is cooking them.” Portnoy delivered some commentary over the play, starting, “And here we go again,” illustrating how his treatment against Clark is ongoing.
He continued, “Caitlin clark, look at this. Not a play on the ball by Angel Reese. Hey, Shaq, you know, I’d lay off her. she’s just so g*ddamn dirty like not going for the ball at all. what is this? Just an absolute cheap shot. angel, Reese, Chicago Sky, dirtiest player in the game, and it’s over and over and over and over.”
Like the previous foul against Clark from Carter in the past matchup between the two teams, this was initially whistled as a common foul before being upgraded to a flagrant 1 upon further review from the officials. Clark shook off the foul and earned her team two points after knocking down her free throws.
Since joining the WNBA, Clark has faced detractors on and off the court. During games, she has been the victim of aggressive contact, as demonstrated by the Chicago Sky, which many argue is outside the bounds of acceptable basketball play.
The America Tribune reported on Clark’s comments addressing the previous foul from Carter which made national headlines. “Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play,” Clark said. “But you know I’ve gotta play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level. I thought we’ve been really physical, we’ve missed some bunnies around the rim, so hopefully those fall in the fourth.” Watch the latest foul from Reese below:
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Furthermore, legendary coach of the University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball team, Geno Auriemma, illustrated how he believes Clark is “being targeted” as a new superstar rookie who is garnering substantial attention as perhaps the most famous female basketball player at the moment.
Auriemma said, “Every rookie has to go through the growing pains of being a professional basketball player. And the more attention you get, and today’s world, attention is No. 1, and attention brings money. So is she facing the rookie challenge, the rookie hardships that are inherent with being a rookie? Yes. She’s also being targeted,”
He further argued that the targeting differs from the usual rookie hazing that occurs in sports. “I don’t remember when (Michael) Jordan came into the league guys looking to go out and beat him up. I don’t remember when (Larry) Bird and Magic (Jonhson) came in the league and elevated the NBA.”
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.