"Sky mentor defends Angel Reese following heated altercation with Caitlin Clark"
In the first game of the 2025 WNBA season, the Chicago Sky wasn't off to a great start, losing to the Indiana Fever, 93-58. However, one significant event stole the spotlight - a heated altercation between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
While the game didn't go as planned for the Sky, head coach Tyler Marsh stood behind Reese, defending her reaction to the flagrant foul Clark had committed, as reported by Chicago State of Mind Sports.
Following the heated exchange, Marsh said, "I think emotions were high on both sides, and it's not about calming her down; she reacted just like any of us would in a moment like that." Marsh emphasized the team's support for Reese, proclaiming, "We got her back, in that locker room and on this coaching staff, and it'll continue to be that way throughout this season."
But it wasn't just the flagrant foul that caused a stir. Pivotal moments like this have been brewing between the Fever and Sky for a while, especially between Clark and Reese. In the third quarter, with Indiana leading 56-42, Clark saw an opportunity to halt Reese's potential layup by knocking her down with a hard foul. The contact was forceful and disrupted Reese's momentum, freeing the ball for the Fever.
Referees initially ruled the foul as a personal one but subsequently upgraded it to a flagrant 1 following a video replay review. The upgrade indicates that the foul was deemed excessive, although not with the intent to injure. Since both Reese and Fever player Aliyah Boston reacted strongly to the incident, technical fouls were also given to them.
Despite the incident, Reese delivered a solid performance, recording a double-double with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Last season, Reese shattered WNBA records, averaging double-digit points and rebounds, even receiving a first-place vote for the league's Rookie of the Year Award[1].
Surprisingly, both Clark and Reese played down the seriousness of the foul after the game, describing it as a "good take foul," a strategic move to prevent easy baskets and send opponents to the free-throw line[2]. Reese also appeared to pacify the situation, but the incident added fuel to the fiery rivalry between the Fever and Sky[3].
[1] ESPN - WNBA Rewind: The 15 breakouts, turnarounds, and issues that defined the 2024 season (2025 WNBA Rewind)[2] Fansided - Insight on the flagrant foul on Angel Reese by Caitlin Clark - Fever Pool Report (Flagrant Foul Explanation)[3] Yahoo Sports - What's next for the rising rivalry between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever (Indiana vs. Chicago Rivalry)[4] Mercury News - Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark's heated exchange creates turning point in Indiana Fever's rout of Chicago Sky (Reese and Clark Confrontation)
In the wake of the heated altercation between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, basketball enthusiasts across the WNBA couldn't help but notice the escalating rivalry between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. Despite the upgraded flagrant foul on Clark, both players downplayed the incident, viewing it as a strategic move in sports.
