Angel Reese Had to Be Restrained While Going After Caitlin Clark for a Routine Basketball Play

Angel Reese Has to Be Restrained After Heated Exchange with Caitlin Clark: What Really Happened in Fever’s Blowout Win Over Sky

INDIANAPOLIS — The highly anticipated WNBA showdown between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky was supposed to be about basketball, but a heated moment between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark stole the spotlight. In a game where the Fever dominated 93-58, the largest season-opening win in franchise history, emotions boiled over as Reese had to be restrained after a routine basketball play involving Clark.

The Play That Sparked the Fire

Midway through the game, Angel Reese grabbed a rebound and saw a clear path to the basket. As she attacked the rim, Caitlin Clark did what any seasoned player would do: she committed a take foul, wrapping Reese up to prevent an easy layup. The foul was hard but standard—a classic “make them earn it at the line” move, not a dirty or dangerous play.

However, Reese hit the floor and immediately jumped up, charging toward Clark in frustration. Fever star Aaliyah Boston quickly intervened, stepping between the two to prevent an escalation. Clark, for her part, kept her composure, raised her hands, and walked away, showing no signs of retaliation.

Was It Really That Serious?

Despite some commentators and fans suggesting Clark had pushed Reese, replay angles showed Clark made a play on the ball, not a shove. “If I saw a push, I’d say it was a push,” one analyst said. “But I see her remove her arm after the foul—nothing more.”

Ironically, moments earlier, Reese herself had pushed Fever forward Natasha Howard while driving to the basket—a play that drew no reaction from Howard and no escalation. The contrast was stark: one player shrugged off contact, the other let frustration boil over.

Coaches and Players Respond

After the game, Sky coach Tyler Marsh tried to downplay the incident, saying, “Emotions were high on both sides. Angel reacted like anyone would in that moment.” But critics quickly pushed back, pointing out that Clark remained calm and professional, while Reese’s reaction was the exception, not the rule.

Even Clark, when asked about the flagrant foul that was assessed to her (a decision she called “ridiculous”), kept things in perspective:
“Let’s not make this more than it was. It was just a good play on the basketball. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.”

Aaliyah Boston, who received a technical for stepping in, was surprised to learn of her penalty, joking, “AB got a tech? Wait, what? I didn’t know that.”

Fever head coach Stephanie White was unapologetic:
“We’re going to be a tough defensive team. You’re going to feel us. If we have to foul to prevent an and-one, that’s what we’ll do. No apologies.”

Angel Reese’s Postgame Silence

Reese, for her part, offered only a terse response at the postgame press conference: “Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on.”
Reporters pressed for more, but Reese refused to elaborate—a notable contrast to her usual outspoken demeanor.

Frustration Boils Over

Ultimately, the incident seemed to stem from frustration. The Sky were getting “cooked” on both ends, with Clark racking up points, assists, and blocks, and Indiana’s defense suffocating Chicago’s offense. Reese, playing out of position and struggling to adjust to a new system, let her emotions get the better of her.

As one analyst put it:
“The real battle wasn’t between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. The battle was in Angel’s head—where Caitlin Clark lives rent-free.”

What’s Next?

The Fever’s blowout win and team unity set a high bar for the season, while the Sky will need to regroup and address their on-court composure. For Reese, the challenge is clear: focus on basketball, not the narratives swirling around her and Clark.

As the WNBA season heats up, one thing is certain—moments like these only add fuel to the league’s growing fire.

.
.
.
Play video: