The Chicago Sky lost their fourth game of the season to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday. A heated altercation between fourth-year guard Chennedy Carter and Indiana rookie Caitlin Clark highlighted Chicago's 71-70 loss. During the third quarter, Carter shoulder-checked Clark and sent her to the floor. Officials called it a common foul, but it was later upgraded to a flagrant. Two days later, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon revealed her conversation with Carter about handling such situations better.
When asked about Carter's excessive foul on Saturday, Weatherspoon originally chalked the incident up to both players being “competitive.” But make no mistake, the head coach is acknowledging that Carter's actions were inappropriate and that all involved must learn from the situation.
“Physical play, intensity, and a competitive spirit are hallmarks of Chicago Sky basketball. Chennedy got caught up in the heat of the moment in an effort to win the game. She and I have discussed what happened and that it was not appropriate, nor is it what we do or who we are. Chennedy understands that there are better ways to handle situations on the court, and she will learn from this, as we all will,” Teresa Weatherspoon said in a statement on Monday, per the Sky.
“As a team, we will grow together and continue to work hard to display strong leadership and set a positive example for our competitors, fans, and partners,” Weatherspoon added.
Carter, Weatherspoon, and the Sky understand that emotions flare, but recognize that staying grounded and focused yields the best solution to intense competition. Surely, Chennedy Carter will learn and bounce back from the Fever altercation. She wants to continue being an outstanding sparkplug for the Sky through the first part of the 2024 WNBA season.
Chennedy Carter looks to continue strong start in Sky debut
Chennedy Carter is one of the most electric players in the WNBA. Teresa Weatherspoon backed Carter's abilities with a bold claim before Chicago's May 30th game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
“She's probably the most talented player in this league. What she brings off the bench for us is incredible. [A high level of] talent, athleticism, speed, quickness, scoring, but she also will defend for us. But Chennedy is also a willing passer…She brings a lot to this team, and that's the energy we need coming off the bench,” the head coach claimed in Thursday's pre-game press conference.
Carter makes slashes to the rim and pull-up jumpers look effortless. Moreover, her defensive activity often results in easy transition bucks for Chicago. The fourth-year guard is quickly proving herself as a vital piece to the Sky's attack. Through seven games, Carter averages 12.0 points 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.7 steals in 18.2 minutes per contest.
The former 2020 fourth-overall pick is having a productive return to the WNBA after an overseas hiatus with Bursa in 2023-24. Carter averaged a whopping 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game with the Turkish club.
If Carter keeps working hard, the sky is the limit. She will learn from her battle with Caitlin Clark and the Fever to continue to help Chicago climb the Eastern Conference standings.
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