Chennedy Carter says “I’m not answering any questions from Caitlin Clark.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Following the Indiana Fever’s 71-70 victory over the Chicago Sky, the talking point is the altercation between Sky guard Chennedy Carter and Fever guard Caitlin Clark late in the third quarter.

Carter made a jump shot with 15.8 seconds left in the quarter, then prepared to guard Clark, who was ready to receive the inside pass. Before the ball was thrown into play, Carter placed his right forearm into Clark’s back, sending him to the ground. The play was ruled an out-of-play foul because it occurred before the inbounds, but it was not upgraded to a flagrant or technical foul. Clark made the free throw to give Indiana a five-point lead heading into the final period.

The full exchange began nearly 20 seconds earlier when Clark appeared to say something to Carter after Fever recovered a loose ball and scored on offense. Carter went down and retrieved the bucket before knocking Clark over. When initially asked about the postgame media interaction, Carter responded with “Next question.”

When asked several follow-up questions a few minutes later, Carter said, “I’m not answering any questions from Caitlin Clark…I don’t know what she said…I didn’t say anything,” said Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon. with a “That’s enough.”

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“They’re just competing,” Weatherspoon later said. “That’s all they do is compete.”

Fever’s No. 1 pick drew attention for the physicality and attention she drew from opponents to begin her WNBA career. Playing against stronger, longer players has been a difficult transition for Clark at times.

Clark and Carter’s brouhaha also comes against the backdrop of Fever’s role. The Sky boasts rookies Angel Reese (LSU) and Kamilla Cardoso (South Carolina), who Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes played twice each in the NCAA tournament as national runners-up in 2023 and 2024. Players – Clark and Reese in particular – helped The increased national interest in women’s basketball set the stage for heated matchups between these two Midwestern teams for years to come.

Weatherspoon believes there was no additional catalyst for his team on Saturday.

“The motivation is still within us,” the first-year Sky coach said. “It’s not for just one game, it’s not for all of that. We are motivated every time we put on our uniform before hitting the ground. These young girls are motivated. A game doesn’t motivate you, if it does, that’s a problem.

“Every game you play, you are motivated. With every workout you are motivated. Every time you put on the uniform, you are motivated. Not a single match.

The Sky didn’t have much to say about the game that was getting people talking. The Fever and Sky will play their second of four matchups at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, June 16 in another noon game.