The WNBA has issued a warning and fined Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese $5,000 for misconduct after she yelled “f* you” three times following a personal foul in a game against Indiana Fever involving Caitlin Clark
In what was expected to be a thrilling regular-season clash between two of the WNBA’s most talked-about rookies, emotions spilled over in dramatic and controversial fashion. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has been officially fined $5,000 and issued a stern warning by the WNBA following an emotional outburst in Saturday’s blowout 93-58 loss to the Indiana Fever. Reese was caught on camera yelling “f*** you” three times after receiving a personal foul, an incident that has sparked intense reactions from both fans and analysts.
The matchup between Reese and Indiana’s rising superstar Caitlin Clark was highly anticipated, with both players having made massive waves during their collegiate careers and entering the professional scene with enormous fanfare. But instead of being remembered for Clark’s remarkable triple-double debut, the headlines quickly shifted to the escalating tension between the two young stars.
During the second quarter, Clark committed a hard foul on Reese, which was later upgraded to a flagrant foul after a brief review. Reese, visibly angered, had to be restrained by teammates and coaching staff to prevent further escalation. Moments later, following a separate personal foul call, Reese shouted expletives in the direction of the referees and possibly toward the Fever bench — triggering the league’s disciplinary response.
“Angel Reese is a fiery competitor and plays with passion. But there’s a line, and in this case, her emotions clearly crossed it,” the WNBA said in a brief statement on Sunday. The league emphasized that while it values the intensity and competitive spirit of its players, it maintains a strict code of conduct to ensure professionalism and respect on the court.
But Reese’s situation was further complicated by disturbing reports that surfaced after the game. According to sources close to the Sky organization, Reese may have also been the target of racially charged remarks from fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the course of the game. Though details remain murky, multiple fans allegedly directed racist slurs at the 6-foot-3 center, further inflaming an already volatile situation.
In response, the WNBA released a separate statement addressing the allegations: “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”
The league’s investigation into the fan behavior is ongoing, and officials have not yet confirmed whether any individuals have been identified or removed from future attendance. Both the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky organizations have remained relatively quiet publicly, though team sources suggest both are cooperating fully with the league’s review.
Reese herself has not commented publicly on the fine or the alleged remarks. However, she has never been shy about expressing herself on or off the court, and her loyal fan base has rallied behind her online, pointing out the double standards in how emotional reactions are policed in women’s sports — particularly when it comes to Black athletes.
Caitlin Clark, for her part, did not respond to questions about the flagrant foul or Reese’s reaction in the post-game press conference, instead focusing on the team’s dominant performance and her own historic stat line.
The Fever said in a statement that they’re “working closely with the WNBA” regarding the investigation and that they “stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.”
