The WNBA has initiated an investigation into racism following an on-court altercation involving Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark during an opening-weekend game between the Fever and the Sky.
The league announced the investigation on Sunday with its statement pointing to the Indiana-Chicago game as where the incident took place.
The incident of racism, although connected to Reese, was not related to Clark’s forceful foul on Reese or the subsequent dispute, as reported by the Indianapolis Star.
Instead, it’s Fever fans in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd who are the target of the league’s investigation.
The WNBA released a statement about allegations of hostile comments from fans at the recent game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever: “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in any form – these have no place in our league or society. We are aware of the allegations and are investigating the issue,” the statement read.
The WNBA has been contacted for further comment by DailyMail.com. The Fever have also released a corresponding statement after the WNBA’s message went public.
The WNBA launched a racism investigation a day after Angel Reese got into it with Caitlin Clark
The league announced the investigation in a statement pointing to the Indiana-Chicago game
‘We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterday’s game and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation. We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players,’ Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines said in a statement.
Reese had to be restrained after Clark knocked her down and caused her to spill the ball moments after she grabbed an offensive rebound near the end of the third quarter.
As tempers hit boiling point, Clark turned her back and walked away as players from both teams got between the two to stop things spilling over. Reese then walked to the side of the court where a Chicago Sky official stepped in front of her to try and get her to cool her temper.
After the game, Reese was in no mood to talk about the incident – in part because her team were emphatically beaten by the Fever, losing 93-58.
‘Basketball play, refs got it right, move on,’ Reese, who top-scored for her team with 12 points, said in a post-game press conference.
Clark, meanwhile, said there was no underlying tension between her and Reese but added that she disagree with the refs who upgraded her foul to a flagrant foul.
‘Let’s not make it something that it’s not,’ Clark said. ‘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.’
It is Fever fans in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd who are the target of the investigation
The Fever released a corresponding statement after the WNBA’s message went public
The reaction to the league’s investigation being announced quickly disseminated across social media.
‘So now do y’all believe us when we say a certain demographic has weaponized Caitlin Clark and are using her as a symbol for hate and racism or do you still think we’re lying about that?’ former NBA star Etan Thomas said.
Before the game started, Clark debuted her new silver and red Nike shoes with a subtle dig at Reese.
Clark and Reese met four times during their rookie WNBA seasons, with the Fever victorious three times.
Both Clark and Reese were named WNBA All-Stars last season and helped take down Team USA during their only loss last summer before they won a gold medal at the Olympics.
It was during the LSU-Iowa national championship game in 2023 where Reese’s point at her ring finger in Clark’s face appeared to be the catalyst for the rise in popularity of women’s basketball.
Now, the confrontation, which Clark maintains was not malicious, has set the tone for the WNBA season.
Saturday’s incident heard round the WNBA only fed more into the narrative of a true distaste existing between Reese and Clark.
