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The fallout from the on-court shove of Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark continued today.
The WNBA fined Chicago Sky rookie Reese $1,000 for not making herself available to the media in the wake of her team’s 71-70 loss on Saturday. Reese has a base salary of $73,439, buttressed by endorsements.
The league also fined Reese’s team $5,000 for not complying with the rule.
Saturday’s game was the first pro matchup between Reese and Clark, both bitter rivals in college.
Reese leaped off her team’s bench and wildly applauded when teammate Chennedy Carter blindsided Clark, knocking her down to the floor with a hard shoulder check. She was called for a regular foul.
Clark was interviewed by ESPN after the quarter ended and was asked about a conversation she had with the referees.
“Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play,” Clark said. “But you know, I’ve gotta play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level. I thought we’ve been really physical, we’ve missed some bunnies around the rim, so hopefully those fall in the fourth.”
Carter refused to answer questions about her foul and/or Clark after the game in a media session. “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions,” she told reporters.
Later in the game, Reese herself got in on the Clark action, elbowing her rival and knocking Clark down. She then raced away as an exasperated Clark held out her hands in disbelief that nothing was called.
Clark, the No. 1 draft choice of the WNBA after setting the NCAA’s all-time scoring record, has had a tough introduction to pro basketball.
After a Thursday game against Seattle, she told reporters, “I feel like I’m getting hammered, I don’t know.”
Her team’s GM, Lin Dunn, has called on the WNBA to take a harsher stance against players who target Clark with physical play that goes beyond the rules.
Christine Lake is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. With an extensive background in sports journalism, he covers everything from major league championships to grassroots sports events. When she’s not on the field or at the stadium, you’ll find Christine coaching youth sports teams.
