When the Chicago Sky face off against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, there are two sure bets: first, that the Fever wins (three out of four games isn't bad), and second, that Caitlin Clark falls victim to a egregious flagrant foul.
The fourth quarter saw Clark and the Fever in complete control of the game – Clark eventually finishing with a career-high 31 points – but Chicago's frustration began to grow before they could seal the win.
After multiple fouls at the free throw line by Chicago's Diamond DeShields, a Chicago defender seemed to decide to go all out by slamming Clark with a blindside hit, knocking her to the floor.
The foul by Diamond DeShields on Caitlin Clark was upgraded to a Flagrant 1.#WNBA pic.twitter.com/9XHIHnM0lW
— WNBA Universe (@wnbauniverse) August 31, 2024
The play was reviewed by the officials and upgraded to Flagrant 1. Clark made all three free throws but was ejected from the game.
According to Matthew Baier of ClutchPoints, the hard foul came after a collision between Clark and Chicago's Camila Cardozo.
“After Clark whiffed the 3-point shot, it looked like Camila Cardozo said something (she contested the shot).” Byrne Written About X. “Clark then pointed toward the scoreboard, and DeShields fouled Clark in the middle of the court. She fell to the floor.”
After Clark whiffed on a 3-pointer, Camila Cardozo appeared to say something (she contested the shot), Clark then pointed toward the scoreboard, and DeShields fouled Clark in the middle of the court.
She tumbled to the floor.
I'm considering upgrading.
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) August 31, 2024
The scoreboard was not in Chicago's favor this time around, as the Fever won 100-81, and to add insult to injury, Clark received a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the field.
Caitlin Clark left the stage to a standing ovation after her big win. pic.twitter.com/0yPPyJV6Tw
— Super Hawkeye Fan (@superhawkeyefan) August 31, 2024
The win was Indiana's third straight and improves the team to 16-16, while the Sky are 11-20 and looking to cling to the eighth and final spot in the league, though surprisingly they still have a shot at the playoffs.
