Angel Reese’s flagrant foul against fellow WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark on Sunday drew a hard-hitting comment from former star Sheryl Swoopes, who said Clark uses bully tactics.
Reese’s foul, a blow to Clark’s head, drew condemnation from onlookers, including some commentators who said the LSU product should be suspended. Clark downplayed the blow by saying, “It happens.”
The foul led former Washington Wizard Gilbert Arenas to call Reese “a bullier” for her “rugged” style on the court.
“She’s not a bully,” Swoopes, a three-time WNBA MVP, said on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast. “I mean, if you want to talk about bullies, we can talk about Caitlin [Clark]. Every time she has the ball she pushes off. I’m just saying.”
Clark scored a game-high 23 points in the Indiana Fever’s 91-83 home victory over Reese’s Chicago Sky.
After the loss, Reese questioned the officiating, speculating that some players may get more foul calls than others.
“I can’t control the refs,” Reese said, “and they affected the game, obviously, a lot tonight. … Going back and looking, I’ve seen a lot of calls that weren’t made. I guess some people get a special whistle.”
Though the Fever didn’t play Monday, Clark’s name still trended on social media. The No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft was mentioned during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, which Boston wrapped up Monday night.
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington fouled the Celtics’ 7-foot-2 Kristaps Porzingis so hard, he tumbled to the court.
“If that were Caitlin Clark, it might spark a debate for a week,” ESPN commentator Doris Burke joked.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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