ESPN: Chennedy Carter Foul on Caitlin Clark Upgraded to Flagrant 1 After WNBA Review

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJune 2, 2024

Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The WNBA retroactively assessed Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter a flagrant 1 foul for her contact on the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark in Sunday’s 71-70 loss, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.

Carter was originally whistled only for a foul away from the ball when she delivered a hip check to Clark in the waning seconds of the third quarter.

Upgrading Carter’s foul to a flagrant 1 is important because players in the WNBA, like with the NBA, accumulate foul points over the course of the season that can result in a suspension.

Carter declined to address the play after the game, telling reporters she wouldn’t answer any questions related to Clark. It looked from the television broadcast the two had exchanged trash talk during the contest.

The foul overshadowed an entertaining matchup featuring first-year stars Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. Sky guard Marina Mabrey had an opportunity to tie the score in the final seconds but missed the first of her two free throws.

Carter’s foul played in to what have been two narratives early into the 2024 WNBA season.

A segment of fans remain convinced that some veteran players “hate” Clark and are jealous of her popularity. The truth is, there’s clearly a target on Clark’s back, but it’s no different than any other notable rookie who enters the pros. It’s not incumbent upon more experienced stars to roll out the red carpet for their younger peers when they’re on opposing teams.

bomani @bomani_jonesi hate to single josh out, since this argument is so prevalent, but this is ridiculous. they’re competitors, not shareholders. https://t.co/LZIqQEpyE3

There’s also a belief among some the WNBA isn’t doing enough to protect Clark, and her own team is helping to lead that charge. Head coach Christie Sides and general manager Lin Dunn both went on social media Saturday to call for action:

Christie Sides @ChristieSidesThis is unacceptable @wnba
When will the consistent complaints be heard?!? Something has to be done! https://t.co/QVf1vHA5l4

Chalk Talk @LD_ChalkTalkThere’s a difference between tough defense and unnecessary— targeting actions! It needs to stop! The league needs to ” cleanup” the crap! That’s NOT who this league is!! https://t.co/jI0xgTPfrC

Carter’s foul on Clark warranted flagrant status by the letter of the law because the contact was totally unnecessary to the play. But the reaction it has generated is far over the top relative to what happened.

And rather than singling out Clark as the victim of bad officiating, this would be a good opportunity to look at the standard of refereeing across the WNBA as a whole. The Athletic’s Ben Pickman reported last October how players and people inside the league didn’t think the officiating was good enough.

To wit, if the Fever don’t like the job the refs are doing, they’ll need to get in line.