Angel Reese Calls Out Officials Following Loss To Caitlin Clark, Fever

Angel Reese continues to make headlines in the WNBA. The Chicago Sky rookie has been one of the most impressive rookies in the league, but she has also seen plenty of consequences for her spirited play.

Read more: Serena Williams Offers Caitlin Clark Advice Amid WNBA Issues

During Sunday’s game between the Sky and Indiana Fever, Reese went up for the ball but ended up striking star rookie Caitlin Clark in the head. While the foul appeared to be unintentional, Reese was given a Flagrant 1 foul. After the game concluded with the Fever being victorious, Reese addressed the media and called out officiating.

Reese was asked what she thought about the performance of the Sky between the first and second half. Reese stated, “For inside, I think we were playing really hard. I think we went up strong a lot of times and we didn’t get a lot of calls. Going back and looking at the film, I’ve seen a lot of calls that weren’t made. I guess some people got a special whistle.”

Reese might not be referring to Clark as one of the people who have a “special whistle” but she was given a flagrant foul for the head strike that occurred. The current narrative surrounding Clark is that many in the league appear to be “targeting” her but that has not been corroborated at all — including by Clark herself.

#IndianaFever’s Caitlin Clark on her matchups with Angel Reese drawing so many eyes:

“It’s just the emotion and passion that we play with. I think people love to see that. … It’s gonna get a little feisty.”

“What she’s done with her platform has been absolutely incredible.” pic.twitter.com/3VfGD4gVbH

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 16, 2024

Clark also addressed the media after the Fever’s big win. She chalked up the hit to a moment of passionate basketball between her and her competitor.

Clark stated, “I think it’s just emotion and passion that we play with. I think people love to see that. I think that’s maybe not something that was always appreciated in women’s sports and it should be. I think that’s what makes it fun. We’re competitors. That’s the way the game should be. It’s gonna get feisty. It’s gonna get a little physical, but at the end of the day both teams are trying to win.”

This isn’t the first time that Clark has taken the high road when addressing a flagrant foul. The last time the Sky and Fever faced off against one another, guard Chennedy Carter shoulder-checked Clark into the floor. Even though it was a hard shot, Clark stated it was simply a basketball play.

The Sky play tough basketball, and Reese has seen plenty of scrutiny for that play. She was ejected from the game where the Sky and New York Liberty played. Reese was ejected after she was given a second flagrant foul, but the WNBA ended up rescinding that foul.

Reese and Clark were two of the biggest stars at the NCAA level, and their stardom has carried over to the WNBA. Their physical play can also just be attributed to them being “rivals.” The league will be seeing plenty more of the rookies facing off against one another for years to come.