WNBA Launches Racism Investigation After Caitlin Clark Tackled Angel Reese In Heated Showdown

Things got really spicy in the Caitlin Clark versus Angel Reese showdown! Their highly anticipated season opener clash wasn’t just about baskets; it involved a hard foul, some heated words, and now, a league investigation.

With just under five minutes left in the third quarter of the Indiana Fever’s dominant 93-58 victory over the Chicago Sky, things took a turn. After Angel Reese snagged an offensive rebound, Caitlin Clark went for the ball, slapping Reese’s arm with enough force to dislodge it and send the Sky star tumbling to the floor. Tempers flared instantly!

Angel Reese popped back up and had some choice words for Clark, and Indiana center Aliyah Boston quickly stepped in as a peacemaker. After the refs reviewed the play, Clark’s third personal foul was upgraded to a flagrant one, while Boston and Reese each received a technical foul.

Despite what looked like a pretty aggressive play to us viewers, Caitlin Clark downplayed the on-court drama in the post-game press conference. She straight-up denied any “malicious” intent towards Angel.

“Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” Clark stated coolly after racking up a triple-double. “It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion. It’s a take foul to put them at the free-throw line. I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life, that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.” She even added that the replay clearly showed she was going for the ball and appreciated Boston having her back.

Angel Reese’s take on the incident was short and sweet. “A basketball play,” she said, offering no further explanation after putting up 12 points and grabbing a whopping 17 rebounds. When a reporter tried to dig a little deeper with a follow-up question, a Sky team spokesman swiftly cut the interview short, saying Reese had already answered.

But the story doesn’t end with the on-court spat. The WNBA has since launched an investigation, and while the initial headlines might have you thinking it’s solely about the Clark-Reese altercation, there’s more to the story. The league announced their investigation on Sunday, referencing the Indiana-Chicago game as the location of the incident. However, according to the Indianapolis Star, the racist incident in question did not directly have to do with the hard foul by Clark on Reese or their subsequent heated exchange.

Instead, the WNBA’s investigation is reportedly targeting Fever fans in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd. The league released a statement condemning racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms, emphasizing that they have no place in the league or society. “We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter,” the statement read.

So, while the on-court clash between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese grabbed headlines and got fans talking, the bigger story unfolding here is the WNBA’s serious investigation into alleged hateful fan comments. Unfortunately, the rivalry on the court might have spilled over into the stands.

It’s raised serious questions about fan behavior and the league’s commitment to inclusivity. Stay tuned!