In a recent episode of ESPN's "First Take," sports commentator Stephen A. Smith weighed in on an incident that occurred during the Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever rematch. The foul, committed by Angel Reese on Caitlin Clark, sparked debate and prompted discussions about player safety in the WNBA.

Reese maintained that her action was simply a "basketball play" as she attempted to block Clark's shot. Smith supported Reese's viewpoint, acknowledging that the referees made the correct call by upgrading the foul to a flagrant-1, given the contact to Clark's head.

Smith also noted that the league might be closely monitoring Reese and the Sky, particularly when they face Clark. He referred back to a previous incident involving Chennedy Carter's foul on Clark, which caused widespread controversy and raised questions about player targeting and physicality on the court.

However, both Clark and Reese, as well as Smith, saw these incidents as part of the competitive nature of the sport. Clark emphasized that there was no malicious intent and considered it a regular occurrence in basketball.

The game itself saw Clark shine, leading the Indiana Fever to a victory with 23 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. This win marked the team's second victory over the Chicago Sky this season, bringing their record to 2-0 against them.

Clark's history against Reese goes back to their college days, where they faced each other on the courts of Iowa and LSU. Overall, Clark has emerged victorious in three out of their four encounters.

This incident and the subsequent discussions highlight the ongoing discourse surrounding player safety and physicality in women's basketball. As the sport gains more prominence and visibility, it is imperative that the focus remains on ensuring the well-being of all players while maintaining the competitiveness that makes basketball so compelling.