WNBA Changes Foul on Caitlin Clark to Flagrant 1
The WNBA upgraded a foul on Caitlin Clark after she was knocked down by Chennedy Carter during a game. The incident sparked controversy as the common foul was raised to a flagrant 1 violation. Despite no fines or suspensions, the physical play drew significant attention on social media. Clark and her team, the Indiana Fever, responded with composure and professionalism. The WNBA raised a foul on Caitlin Clark post her knockdown by Chennedy Carter in a game, triggering controversy. The common foul escalated to a flagrant 1 violation, stirring social media attention. Clark and her team, the Indiana Fever, handled the situation with poise and professionalism, despite no penalties imposed.
The WNBA has upgraded a foul on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who was knocked to the hardwood by Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter during a game on Saturday. Footage of the incident has gone viral and drawn a great deal of controversy.
A review of the away-from-the-ball common foul led to it being elevated to a flagrant 1 violation, the league told ESPN on Sunday, though Carter will not be fined or suspended for the infraction. According to WNBA rules, a flagrant 1 is assessed “if contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary.”
Carter knocked Clark, who was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft this year, to the floor in the third quarter. Carter then walked away as a Fever teammate walked over and helped Clark back up to her feet.
Chennedy Carter fouls Caitlin Clark on the inbound. Away-from-play foul called. pic.twitter.com/LodLF5oKMF
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) June 1, 2024
The shove and subsequent foul drew millions of views on social media, as well as criticism.
“Okay, this IS HATING on Caitlin Clark,” former Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III said on X.
“Face guarding, extremely aggressive play and the occasional hard foul can be describe as competitiveness,” he added. “Going out of your way to call her out of her name and body check her to the floor without the ball is HATING.”
Christie Sides, who coaches the Fever, said in a post to X the initial away-from-the-ball common foul was “unacceptable.”
During news conferences after the game, which the Fever won 71-70, players on both teams faced questions about the third-quarter shove.
“It is what it is. It’s a physical game,” Clark said. The point guard added later that she is “at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate … I’m trying not to let it bother me.”
Sides noted that the Fever would be “sending” plays, including the shove, to the league for review and praised Clark for how she had responded to “getting hammered the way she does and to not get rewarded with free throws or, you know, just the foul calls.”
The coach added, “She’s continued to fight through that. Appreciate that from her. Really, really proud of her for doing that.”
Carter declined to discuss what transpired on the court with Clark. “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions,” she told a reporter.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
Rookie Angel Reese, another player on the Sky who is known for taunting Clark when they played each other in college, appeared to jump up from the bench after the foul and applaud.
At the end of the third quarter, Reese could be seen embracing Carter and smiling.
Why do none of Caitlin Clark’s teammates ever do anything to stop this from happening??pic.twitter.com/j2BGddbdGX
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 1, 2024
The WNBA separately announced on Sunday that Reese had been fined $1,000 for failing to make herself available to the media for interviews after the game.
In addition, the WNBA said the Sky organization had been fined $5,000 for failing to ensure all players comply with the league’s media policies.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...