Ever since Chennedy Carter took Caitlin Clark to the ground with her shoulder on Saturday, there has been a lot of criticism regarding Carter’s flagrant foul.
Criticism has been drawn over Chicago Sky teammate Angel Reese’s reaction to the play — when she appeared to jump off the bench in celebration — and the general abuse the No. 1 overall pick has endured in her first 11 WNBA games.
Other comments focused on the reaction of Clark’s teammates and the Fever’s need to add strong players.
Now, Tamika Catchings, a WNBA champion and 10-time Fever all-star, believes the league needs to “protect its players” and is surprised the original call wasn’t reviewed. Clark asked the umpire to do so, and she said He told USA Today.
“I don’t agree with the vile attack, especially when injuries occur,” Catchings told the outlet. “The play itself was wrong and we all have a responsibility, collectively, to make sure that doesn’t happen and that nobody gets hit like that.”
“From the league’s standpoint, you’ve got to protect your players. I was really surprised the refs didn’t take the time to look at it during the game. I was watching the game. I was really surprised the refs didn’t see it and just went ahead with it. That’s not a basketball play.”
The league ultimately upgraded the call to a Flagrant I the next day, but ESPN’s broadcast showed Clark asking the officials to review the call in the third quarter of the Fever’s second win of the season on Saturday against the Sky.
Clark, who is averaging 15.6 points and 6.4 assists per game as a rookie, said last week that she feels like she’s “being outplayed” by opponents, and Fever coach Christy Sides said Sunday that Indiana will “continue to fight for calls” just like it did last year with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Aaliyah Boston.
“They want to show they’re veterans in this league and give the rookies a hard time,” Said said before the Liberty beat the Fever 104-68 on Sunday at Barclays Center. “That’s what it’s about.”
Carter told reporters on Monday. “I have no regrets” What happened despite head coach Theresa Weatherspoon saying in a statement that the play was “inappropriate.”
And Catchings told USA Today that Reese should know “all eyes are on you.”
“Angel has to be who she is, but all rookies have to be mature. As you grow and mature in this game, you have to understand what’s acceptable and what’s not,” Catchings said. “And learn from the mistakes you make. Hopefully Angel has the right people around her to tell her, ‘Hey, that’s not good, how do you adapt and how do you learn from that situation?'”
Sky are scheduled to face the Fever twice this month, on June 16th and 23rd.
