WNBA: Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever - Source: ImagnWNBA: Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever – Source: Imagn

Indiana Fever’s season opener reached a flashpoint when Caitlin Clark was assessed a flagrant foul for impeding Angel Reese in the third quarter.

Angel Reese responded quite emphatically, charging at Clark and seemingly hurling a stream of obscenities at the Fever star.

“You crazy as f**k” “What the f**k is wrong with you?” – Angel Reese seemingly vented

With Reese right under the basket and free for an easy two points, Clark opted for a take foul rather than let her opponent score easily. She later clarified her choice to ESPN reporter Holly Rowe, explaining that she meant no malice towards Reese.

“It’s just a good take foul. Either Angel gets wide open 2 points or we send to the free throw line. Nothing malicious about it. It’s just a good take foul every basketball player knows that”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1923846199716593996

Other than her flagrant foul, Caitlin Clark had a stellar outing, recording her third WNBA triple-double in a performance worthy of her MVP potential. In 32 minutes of play, Clark recorded 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals, a statline previously unseen in the WNBA.

Her statement performance also helped her team and teammates achieve major statistical landmarks. DeWanna Bonner surpassed Tina Thompson’s as the third leading scorer in WNBA history in her Fever debut. A margin of 35 points also turned out to be the biggest win in a season opener in franchise history and the second largest margin of victory overall for the Fever.

Angel Reese reacts to Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul

Angel Reese reacted with aggressive intent initially after being fouled by Caitlin Clark in the third quarter. By the time the game was over, she cut a significantly calmer figure and reacted rather stoically in the post game press conference.

She echoed Caitlin Clark’s sentiments on the incident and accepted the call made by the referees as the correct decision.

“”Basketball play, refs got it right, move on”

Caitlin Clark also addressed the incident after the game and downplayed any tensions that may have surfaced in the heat of battle.

“It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the refs saw to upgrade it and that’s up to their discretion” – Caitlin Clark

Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky will take on the New York Liberty when they play next on Thursday in their home opener. The defending champions rolled to their first win of the season earlier on in the day and the Sky will have their work cut out for them to reach .500 for the season.