Angel Reese has received the first fine of her WNBA career after a controversial day that saw her and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark reignite their college rivalry in the professional league.
The highly anticipated face-off took place on Saturday, during which Clark was bodychecked and shoved to the ground by Reese’s Chicago Sky teammate, Chennedy Carter. Reese was seen leaping off the bench to celebrate Carter’s aggressive action.
While the incident sparked significant online controversy, Reese’s fine was not for her reaction to the on-court altercation. Instead, the WNBA has fined her $1,000 for “failing to make herself available to the media for interviews following the game.” Despite the fine, the amount is unlikely to severely impact Reese financially, given her lucrative sponsorship deals amassed during her college career and continuing into her time in the WNBA.
Reese’s rookie contract with the Sky pays $324,383 over four years, averaging an annual salary of $81,096. Additionally, the Sky organization has been fined $5,000 for failing to ensure all players adhere to WNBA media policies.
Carter, who was at the center of the on-court incident, did address the media but refused to discuss the altercation with Clark. Television replays showed Carter shoving Clark to the ground and allegedly shouting “you b***h” before knocking her over. Despite the aggressive confrontation, Carter denied engaging in trash talk and refused to elaborate on the incident.
“I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions,” she stated. “I don’t know what she said. I didn’t say anything.”
The provocation, if any, that led to Carter’s actions remains unclear. Nonetheless, Clark managed to have the last laugh as her team secured a narrow 71-70 victory, marking the Fever’s first home win of the season. Reflecting on the incident immediately after the game, Clark told ESPN, “That’s just not a basketball play but I’ve got to play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level.”
As the WNBA continues to enforce its policies and maintain the integrity of the game, the fines and the handling of such incidents underscore the league’s commitment to professionalism both on and off the court.
The rivalry between Reese and Clark, now extended into their professional careers, adds an intriguing narrative to the league, drawing significant attention from fans and media alike.
