The WNBA said it is looking into hateful comments made during the season opener between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky on Saturday in Indianapolis.
‘The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms – they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter,’ the league said in a statement.
While the league didn’t specify what the allegations are, a person with knowledge of the situation told IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, it’s directed toward hateful comments to Sky forward Angel Reese.
‘The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments at yesterday’s game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBA’s current investigation into this matter. Such behavior is unacceptable in our sports,’ the players’ union said in a statement.
A rivalry between Reese and Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been going on since their college days, and it’s been no different in the WNBA. There was anticipation for the season beginning with the two stars starting their second-year campaigns against one another, but it got heated during the contest.
With less than five minutes left in the third quarter, Clark intentionally fouled Reese on the arm and shoved her as the Chicago star went for a layup. Reese immediately got up and appeared to say something to Clark as she went toward her before Indiana forward Aliyah Boston intervened. Clark walked away while the situation was quickly deescalated by the players on the court and coaching staff.
Referees reviewed the play and upgraded the foul by Clark to a Flagrant 1, while Boston and Reese were given offsetting technical fouls.
Reese was heavily booed by the Indiana crowd during player introductions and throughout the game, but the intensity picked up as she shot the free throws following the Flagrant 1 call.
Indiana won the contest 93-58. Clark finished with a game-high 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the third triple-double of her career, while Reese had 12 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.