Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Finally Speak Out After Flagrant Foul Sparks Heated On-Court Tension

In the aftermath of a tense and highly scrutinized moment during a recent WNBA showdown, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have broken their silence about the flagrant foul that sent shockwaves through the league — and sparked a viral debate across sports media and fan communities.

The incident took place during a high-intensity matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, when Reese committed a flagrant foul on Clark in the third quarter. The hard contact sent Clark crashing to the hardwood, leading to a dramatic reaction from players and fans alike.

Caitlin Clark: “It’s Just Part of the Game”

Following the game, Clark addressed the situation with her usual calm demeanor.

“Basketball’s a physical game,” Clark said during the post-game interview. “It’s nothing personal. You get hit, you get back up. I’m just focused on winning games.”

When asked specifically about Reese’s foul and the visible intensity of the moment, Clark downplayed any lingering tension:

“Angel’s a great competitor. We’ve both been in big games. Emotions run high. It happens.”

Angel Reese: “I’m Not Backing Down”

Angel Reese, meanwhile, took a more assertive tone when addressing the viral flagrant foul.

“I’m always going to play with passion and intensity. That’s who I am,” she said. “I’m not out here to hurt anyone, but I’m also not going to let anyone walk all over me.”

Reese did, however, acknowledge the attention the incident received online and in the press:

“People will always have something to say, especially when it’s me and Caitlin. But at the end of the day, we both respect the game and we respect each other.”

A Rivalry That Defines a Generation

Clark and Reese have been in the spotlight ever since their NCAA days, where their rivalry began during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Final. Now, as professionals, that intensity hasn’t faded — and neither has the public’s fascination with their every interaction.

Social media exploded after the flagrant foul, with fans debating whether the contact was excessive or simply a byproduct of two fiercely competitive athletes going head-to-head.

The WNBA reviewed the play and upheld the flagrant 1 foul call on Reese, citing “unnecessary contact” but no intent to injure. No further disciplinary action was taken.

Teammates and Coaches React

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides praised Clark’s composure:

“Caitlin gets knocked down, but she never stays down. She keeps playing, keeps leading.”

On the other side, Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon defended Reese’s approach:

“Angel plays with heart. That’s what makes her special. She’s passionate, not dirty.”

What’s Next?

With both Clark and Reese continuing to evolve as faces of the WNBA, fans can expect more fiery battles — but also a growing level of maturity and leadership from two of the league’s brightest young stars.

As Clark put it best:

“The game is growing. The spotlight is bigger. We’re all just trying to compete and inspire.”

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese downplay heated moment after flagrant foul in Fever’s season-opening rout

Clark said her foul wasn’t ‘malicious’ despite Reese’s angry reaction

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark began her 2025 WNBA season with a triple-double in her team’s 93-58 rout of the Chicago Sky Saturday.

During the game, Clark was called for a flagrant foul after a hard foul on her rival, Angel Reese.

The star Sky center was angry with the foul by Clark and went after her in a heated exchange broken up by Sky and Fever players. Clark walked away and never once looked at Reese as Reese continued to walk toward her.

While it appeared tense on the court, Clark and Reese said the foul wasn’t as bad as it seemed after the game.

“Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” Clark said after dropping 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. “It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion.

“It’s a take foul to put them at the free throw line. I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life. That’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.”

During the play, Reese got an offensive rebound, and Clark appeared to motion toward the referee that the Sky center pushed off a fellow Fever player. Clark then fouled Reese intentionally, hugging her to prevent an easy layup.

The ESPN broadcast debated whether Clark pushed Reese slightly with her left arm after committing the foul, which might have led to Reese’s angry reaction

Without elaborating, Reese called it a “basketball play” from Clark, a term both players have used in the past.

Reese struggled shooting in her season debut, scoring 12 points on 5 of 14 from the field, while grabbing a game-high 17 rebounds.

It was a brief moment, but considering the history between Clark and Reese, it’s another chapter in a rivalry that goes back to their college days. The Fever and Sky are now rivals because of the history between Clark and Reese.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes around Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky, 93-58.

Last season, the Fever took three of their four matchups, which included several hard fouls that led to national debate.

Stephanie White, who got her first win as head coach of the Fever, also commented on Clark’s foul.

“Nobody’s going to get anything easy against us,” White said. “We’re going to be a tough defensive team. I thought it was a clear play on the ball as well.”

“The foul on Clark met the criteria for flagrant foul 1, for wind up, impact and follow-through for the extension of the left hand to Reese’s back, which is deemed not a legitimate basketball play, and therefore deemed unnecessary contact,” crew chief Roy Gulbeyan said of Clark.

“After the foul, there is a physical taunt technical on Boston and a verbal technical on Reese, which offset.”

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts to a flagrant foul by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) Saturday, May 17, 2025, during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis

The sold-out crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse cheered as Reese missed the first of her two free throws before Chicago retained the ball after the technical foul.