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If Indiana Fever fans did racially abuse Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, as they’re accused of doing, then Caitlin Clark didn’t hear it. At least, that’s what Clark said when asked about the incident and subsequent WNBA investigation on Tuesday.
Reese allegedly suffered the abuse during Indiana’s 93-58 blowout victory over Chicago on Saturday. The WNBA issued a statement shortly after the game condemning the alleged acts and stating that it planned to investigate the claims.
“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms,” the statement read. “They have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”
Neither Caitlin Clark Nor Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White Heard Racial Abuse
Clark, who is in Atlanta for the Fever’s game against the Dream on Tuesday night, was asked about the incident following practice on Monday.
“It’s super loud in here, and though I didn’t hear anything, I think that’s why they’re doing the investigation,” she said. “That’s why they’re looking into it. That doesn’t mean nothing happened, so I’ll just trust the league’s investigation, and I’m sure they’ll do the right thing.”
Fever coach Stephanie White, who is in her first year with the team, had a similar answer when addressing the allegations.
“I told the team, obviously, we’re going to cooperate fully with the investigation,” White said Monday. “But there’s no place for that in our league, whether it’s at home, whether it’s on the road. It doesn’t matter. We want to encourage our players, our staff to bring recognition to it in real time if it’s heard, if it’s seen or anything of that nature.”
Reese has not yet commented on the allegations. But it’s unclear who first made the allegations to begin with. Both she and Clark have downplayed the rivalry between the two. But the pair has set off a chain reaction in the sports media world that has stretched far beyond the bounds of a WNBA court.