Chennedy Carter's foul on Caitlin Clark is upgraded by the WNBA to a flagrant-1.
Chennedy Carter's foul on Caitlin Clark is upgraded by the WNBA to a flagrant-1.
After analyzing the action, the WNBA on Sunday raised Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter's foul against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 penalty.
Before an inbound pass, Carter struck Clark with a shoulder shot that sent her to the ground during the third quarter of the Fever's 71-70 victory on Saturday. Without reviewing the play, the referees ruled it an away-from-the-ball foul. At the time, it was considered a common foul.
"After the game, I wasn't expecting it," Clark remarked. "It is what it is." The game is tangible. Go make the free throw, play offensively, and I think we kind of did that.
Following the game, Carter declined to comment on either Clark or the play.
Angel Reese, a forward for Sky, was fined $1,000 by the league for not making herself accessible to the media following the game on Saturday. Chicago was also penalized $5,000 by the WNBA for neglecting to make sure that all players abided with the league's media guidelines.
If a flagrant foul is not called during the game, the league office has the authority to elevate it to a flagrant one or reclassify it. A player who commits a flagrant foul may also face fines or suspensions from the league. Carter was not helped by the WNBA either.
During the regular season, players accrue points for egregious fouls; if they exceed a certain threshold, they are suspended.
In her postgame interview on Saturday, Indiana coach Christie Sides commended Clark for maintaining her poise despite all of the hard play she has encountered this season.
"We intend to continue providing the league with these possessions and plays, with the hope that they will begin to examine more closely some of the things that we observe or believe to be occurring," the spokesperson stated. "I'm even happier that Caitlin handled it in that manner. You know, it's difficult to continue receiving the kind of abuse she does without receiving any free throws or foul calls in return. She has persisted in overcoming that. Thank you for that from her. Extremely pleased with her for taking that action.
Clark ended with eight rebounds, six assists, and eleven points. Reese finished with 13 rebounds and 8 points.