Chennedy Carter and Caitlin Clark (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The WNBA has upgraded Chennedy Carter’s foul on Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 this Sunday following a review of the play.
Carter hit Clark with a body check during the third quarter of Saturday’s clash between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, drawing much criticism.
The referees determined it was an away-from-the-ball foul and didn’t review the play on the court, but the league has since decided on it, according to the Associated Press.
Carter refused to answer questions about Clark or the foul while speaking to reporters after the game. “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions,” she remarked after a question from the media.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Clark said of the play. “It is what it is. It’s a physical game. Go make the free throw and execute on offense, and I feel like that’s kind of what we did.”
Chennedy Carter Escapes A Fine/Suspension
The WNBA can reclassify a flagrant foul or upgrade a foul to a flagrant one that doesn’t get called during the game. The league can also punish a player by imposing a fine or suspension.
They’ve done neither in the case of Chennedy Carter, however.
“Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play,” Clark also told ESPN (H/T the New York Times). “But you know I’ve gotta play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level. I thought we’ve been really physical, we’ve missed some bunnies around the rim, so hopefully those fall in the fourth.”
Players accumulate points for flagrant fouls during the regular season, and a certain number of them can lead to suspension. It appears Carter is safe for the time being.