NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA on Sunday upgraded Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter’s foul on Indiana Fever rookie Kaitlin Clark to a flagrant violation -1 after reviewing the play.
Carter gave a Shoulder shot for Clarke That knocked her to the ground before an inbounds pass during the third quarter on Saturday Win 71-70 By fever. The officials called it an off-the-ball foul and did not review the play. It was considered a common mistake at the time.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Clark said after the game. “It is what it is. It’s a physical game. Make the free throw and make the offense, and I feel like that’s what we did.”
Carter did not answer questions about Clark or the play after the game.
The league imposed a fine of $1,000 on Sky striker Angel Reese for not appearing in front of the media after Saturday’s match. The WNBA also fined Chicago $5,000 for failing to ensure all players complied with the league’s media policies.
The league group may reclassify a flagrant foul or upgrade the foul to a flagrant foul that was not called during the game. In addition, the league may fine or suspend a player for a flagrant foul. The WNBA didn’t do that to Carter either.
Players collect points for flagrant fouls during the regular season and are suspended if they reach a certain number.
“This league is great, it’s a physical league,” Indiana coach Christy Sides said before playing the New York Liberty on Sunday night. “That was a non-basketball game and it should have been called at that moment.”
Sides praised Clarke in her postgame interview on Saturday for maintaining her composure through all the physical play she has faced this season.
“You showed it last night,” the coach said. “She got up and continued playing. All she did was ask the officials to review it. They didn’t want to listen to her. I applaud her for the way she handled it last night.
Clark finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Reese scored eight points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
“I grew up playing basketball with boys. It was always physical and rowdy and you had to find a way to hold your own,” Clark said.
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