The sizzling takes poured onto social media Sunday after Chicago Sky ahead Angel Reese clocked Indiana Fever sharpshooter Caitlin Clark with an errant elbow on a lay-up try.
Reese was initially referred to as for a standard foul, however the referees upgraded it to a flagrant-1 foul upon additional overview. Clark and the Fever ended up with a 91-83 victory.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Former NFL quarterback and present ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III appears on earlier than the beginning of the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans AFC Divisional Playoff sport at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 20, 2024 in Baltimore. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The foul triggered a ton of commotion, together with from former NFL star quarterback Robert Griffin III, who likened the discourse across the two gamers to a “race warfare.”
“Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are being utilized in a race warfare that’s not truthful to both athlete or the sport of basketball,” he wrote on X.
“Why do you suppose the discourse round Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and the WNBA is 99% about every part however the basketball being performed?” he requested.
WNBA gamers and sports activities pundits made Clark’s recognition about her race even earlier than she began in a regular-season sport.
Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, celebrates throughout the sport in opposition to the Chicago Sky on June 16, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE by way of Getty Images)
CAITLIN CLARK TALKS GOING UP AGAINST ANGEL REESE: ‘PEOPLE JUST LOVE SEEING GREAT MATCHUPS’
Before the Fever took on the Sky, Clark was requested a number of occasions on Thursday about her identify being utilized in “tradition wars,” and he or she acquired criticism when attempting to only concentrate on basketball.
Clark had a quiet sport in opposition to the Atlanta Dream however scored 23 factors in opposition to the Sky.
Reese contended that Sunday’s foul was a “basketball play” and there was nothing greater than that.
“I am unable to management the refs, they usually affected the sport, clearly, loads tonight,” Reese mentioned after the sport. “Y’all are most likely going to play that clip like 20 occasions earlier than Monday.”
“I feel we went up actually sturdy a whole lot of occasions and did not get a whole lot of calls,” Reese added. “Going again and searching, I’ve seen a whole lot of calls that weren’t made, I suppose some individuals get a particular whistle.”
Clark downplayed the foul.
Angel Reese, #5 of the Chicago Sky, appears on throughout the sport in opposition to the Indiana Fever on June 16, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE by way of Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“It is what it’s, you already know, she’s attempting to make a play on the ball and get the block,” Clark mentioned. “I imply it occurs after which these free throws when it’s important to shoot with no one on the line are sort of exhausting. So I used to be simply specializing in making these free throws.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle publication.
