Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever got the last laugh, defeating the Chicago Sky after Angel Reese hit her fellow rookie in the head while attempting to block a shot.

Clark, 22, scored 23 points while also recording eight rebounds and nine assists in the 91-83 win. The match pitted Clark against Reese, their second meeting in the WNBA, continuing their legendary college basketball rivalry.

But as Clark closed in on a 2-0 professional lead over Reese, with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, she was fouled hard by her fellow rookie. Reese hit Clark in the head while attempting to block the shot and following a review, the call was upgraded to a flagrant 1, with the Fever star scoring both free throws as a result.

A hard foul committed by Chicago on Clark isn’t new. Chennedy Carter hip-checked Clark before an inbound pass in their first meeting earlier this month, which caused uproar in the basketball world, and on social media. The physicality doesn’t bother Clark, though.

“I think everybody is physical with me, they get away with things that probably other people don’t get away with,” Clark said earlier this month. “It’s tough, but that’s just the fact of the matter. This is a very physical game, and you’re going to get pressure, this is professional basketball. It is what it is, honestly.”

Clark’s not-so-friendly welcome to the WNBA following her first overall selection by Indiana has been a much-debated topic. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has put a lot of it down to professional jealousy, with Clark one of the faces of the league despite her rookie status.

The Fever went on to beat Reese and the Sky with the help of two free throws
“So I think where people get upset is, as a player, you don’t want to be forgotten,” said O’Neal. “It’s professional jealousy. I think people should focus more on not just her, cause she is a great player, but don’t forget about the beautiful Cardoso and my girl, Angel.”

Reese has also personally pushed back on the one-person band narrative surrounding Clark and her helping raise the profile of the WNBA. “The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person,” Reese said. “It’s because of me, too. I want y’all to realize that.”

The Fever are now on a two-game winning streak following the win over Sky. They beat the Atlanta Dream 91-84 in the game prior and Indiana now boasts a 5-10 record, putting them eighth overall in the WNBA.