The Caitlin Clark-DiJonai Carrington clash in game 1 of the WNBA playoffs has come with its own repercussions. The two stars tried to best to end the narrative by accepting that it was unintentional. However, USA Today reporter Christine Brennan chose to repeatedly ask Carrington about poking Clark in the eye, and if it was intentional. The viral interview once again sparked rumors of Clark’s rivalry with Carrington and how the Sun guard had tried to contain the Fever rookie. After watching over the results of the highly flammable interview, WNBPA came forward to slam Brennan. But was met with an equal roar from USA Today.

While WNBPA accused Brennan of trying to create controversy, USA Today gave its statement on Friday. As per the $830M worth company, “journalists ask questions and seek truth. At USA TODAY, our mission is to report in an unbiased manner. We reject the notion that the interview perpetuated any narrative other than to get the player’s perspective directly. Christine Brennan is well regarded as an advocate for women’s and athletes, but first and foremost, she is a journalist.” The statement was issued by Sports Executive Editor Roxanna Scott of USA Today.

According to WNBPA, Brennan asking the same question multiple times was a way to steer away from the WNBA awards season. In the statement issued by the WNBPA, they wouldn’t want to “distract them from their success,” but would like to “stand up for them.” Carrington this season won the award for the Most Improved Player and according to the WNBPA, the said questioning was an attempt to “bait a professional athlete into participating in a narrative that is false.”

The WNBPA further accused Brennan of being “indecent and downright insincere,” and went as far as stating that she didn’t deserve the “credentials” given to her. Though the organizing body accepted that the relationship with the media is a delicate one, nonetheless, they would want to protect their players. But let’s look at what exactly unfolded between the two players.

What happened between DiJonai Carrington and Caitlin Clark?

Clark during game 1 of the WNBA playoffs was looking to angle a pass to her teammate Aliyah Boston. But that was before Carrington caught hold of the rookie. As Clark jumped in the air to pass the ball, Carrington too tried to block it which resulted in her finger poking Clark’s eyes. While no foul was awarded, Clark took her time to recover., However, by the end of the game, she had a black patch under her eye.

When Clark could only score 2 out of the 13 three-pointers she attempted, it fueled the online debate that Carrington had done it purposefully to contain Clark. And when the Sun won the first two matchups of Round 1, fans were flabbergasted. However, both the athletes before Game 2 during a practice session confirmed that it wasn’t done intentionally.

Maybe fans can go with Clark’s words and stop firing Carrington. Meanwhile, Brennan will have to look at how to sort out her differences with the WNBPA.