Saturday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky lived up to the high drama, as multiple viral incidents happened on and off the court in another addition of the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Reese and Clark had another toxic moment when Fever point guard committed a flagrant 1 foul on Reese to keep the Sky power forward from making an easy layup. Reese’s frustration at the foul led to offsetting technicals for her and Aliyah Boston.
Following the game, the WNBA announced they were investigating a racial incident from a fan at Gainbridge Fieldhouse directed towards Reese.
But fireworks happened even before tipoff.
The Chicago Sky did not come out for the national anthem
Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports was at the game and ignited a storm on social media when he posted that Sky went into the locker room after warm-ups and didn’t show when the national anthem was being played.
“Sky didn’t come out for the anthem? Weird,” Portnoy posted.
Chicago Sky didn’t come out for the anthem? Weird.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 17, 2025
Some fans in the comments pointed out that it’s typical for some WNBA teams to go into the locker room after warm-ups and return to the floor at the conclusion of the national anthem.
Still, other fans felt the Sky were being disrespectful by not standing while the song was played before the game. A common joke was that Chicago didn’t come out for the matchup either, as the Fever ran the Sky out of the building in a 93-58 rout.
Fans call for a ridiculous boycott of the WNBA and Sky
Some fans think people should refrain from buying tickets to see the Sky or WNBA until Chicago apologizes for the decision.
“Then, give them the same respect. DONT BUY TICKETS FOR THEIR GAMES AND DONT GO TO THEIR GAMES,” posted a fan.
“Will there be any consequences for the Chicago Sky walking off the court and skipping the National Anthem? If not, count me as a FORMER @WNBA fan!,” wrote another.
“Not coming out for the National Anthem. New year, new players, new coach, But the Chicago Sky are still the same team. They have a lousy attitude, players on the Sky team and the coach show what they really are, they will get no respect from me,” wrote one poster.
One fan wanted fines.
“The WNBA better fine and give a last warning to the Chicago Sky for boycotting the national anthem .Just remember where you work .In the USA..If you don’t like things play and coach in another country . As for a flagrant foul..Wow oh wow petty . Grow up ladies,” posted another.
Other fans understand the ridiculous nature of the controversy, noting that the Sky didn’t break protocol or do anything disrespectful by not being on the court for the national anthem.
“Nah its weird that the anthem is played in the 1st place,” posted a fan.
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Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese boasts personal achievement during loss to Fever
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