Caitlin Clark’s Flagrant on Angel Reese Ignites Tensions in Fierce Fever–Sky Rivalry

During a highly anticipated matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky on May 17, 2025, tempers flared in the third quarter when Fever guard Caitlin Clark fouled Sky forward Angel Reese. The sequence began with Reese pushing Fever forward Natasha Howard while grabbing an offensive rebound. As Reese attempted to go up for a shot, Clark fouled her, causing Reese to fall to the ground. The play quickly escalated as Reese got up and confronted Clark face-to-face.

Referees Upgrade Clark’s Foul Amid Heated Rivalry with Reese and Boston

After reviewing the incident, referees determined that Clark had used her left hand to shove Reese, upgrading her personal foul to a flagrant foul. Additionally, technical fouls were issued to Angel Reese and Fever forward Aliyah Boston for their roles in the altercation. Clark later downplayed the foul, describing it as “just a good take foul” in an interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, indicating that she didn’t believe there was any malicious intent.

This confrontation added another layer to the already intense rivalry between Clark and Reese, which began during their college basketball days. Clark spoke about the importance of rivalries in sports, noting that these kinds of matchups increase the intensity and draw fans in more deeply. She highlighted the extra motivation that comes with competing against well-known opponents and how these games often feel more personal and emotionally charged.

Clark’s Ongoing Physical Battles with Chicago Sky Fuel Intense Rivalry and Fan Interest

The encounter was not an isolated incident in Clark’s history with the Sky. Throughout the 2024 WNBA season, Clark was on the receiving end of several hard or questionable fouls from Chicago players. Notably, she was illegally hip-checked by Chennedy Carter in June, and in another game, she was forcefully fouled by Diamond DeShields, resulting in a flagrant foul ruling. These moments have contributed to growing animosity between Clark and the Sky.

Despite the physicality and tension in these contests, Clark and the Indiana Fever have had the upper hand in the rivalry, winning three out of four matchups against the Sky in 2024. These games have consistently drawn significant viewer interest, becoming some of the most-watched WNBA contests of the season. The fierce competition between Clark and Reese continues to fuel fan engagement and spotlight women’s professional basketball.