The WNBA has upgraded Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter's foul against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark to a flagrant-1 violation after a review of the play. The incident occurred during the third quarter of Saturday's game, which saw the Fever emerge victorious with a 71-70 win.

Carter delivered a shoulder shot to Clark, causing her to hit the floor, while attempting to intercept an inbound pass. Interestingly, the officials initially called it an away-from-the-ball foul and did not review the incident. At the time, the foul was deemed a common one.

In response to the upgraded violation, Clark expressed surprise but acknowledged the physical nature of the game. She emphasized the importance of executing on offense and making free throws. Carter, on the other hand, chose not to address questions regarding the play or Clark after the game.

The league has imposed a $1,000 fine on Sky forward Angel Reese for her failure to make herself available to the media, which is a violation of league media policies. Moreover, Chicago Sky has been fined $5,000 for failing to ensure that all players comply with these policies.

The WNBA has the authority to reclassify a foul or upgrade it to a flagrant one, even if it was not called during the game. They also have the ability to impose fines or suspensions for flagrant fouls, but in Carter's case, no further action was taken.

It is worth noting that players accumulate points for flagrant fouls during the regular season, and if they reach a certain threshold, suspensions can be issued. However, this did not apply to Carter in this instance.

In a postgame interview, Indiana coach Christie Sides commended Clark for maintaining her composure despite facing physical play throughout the season. She expressed hope that the league would pay closer attention to such incidents and applauded Clark's resilience and perseverance.

Clark ended the game with 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, showcasing her all-around skills. Meanwhile, Reese contributed eight points and an impressive 13 rebounds.

The WNBA's decision to upgrade Carter's foul sends a clear message regarding the league's commitment to player safety and fair play. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how such incidents will be handled in the future.