The Rivalry the WNBA Wants—but Clark and Reese Aren’t Selling

It took just one game to reignite discussions about the so-called rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. 

During Saturday’s WNBA opener between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, Clark was issued a flagrant foul for pushing Reese, who received a verbal technical foul. The incident was amplified Sunday after the WNBA announced it was investigating alleged racist comments made toward Reese during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The WNBA has leaned in to the rivalry after its two most-watched regular-season games in 2024 were between the Sky and Fever. All five of their matchups this season will be aired nationally. 

However, despite the on-court scuffle, it doesn’t appear the two are embracing being pitted against each other.

No Words

Clark said Reese’s name just one time during both her pre- and post-game press conferences Saturday—and it was to commend her defensive ability.

But when asked about their rivalry, Clark implied it was manufactured. “You guys love it, that’s for sure,” Clark told the media, including Front Office Sports, ahead of Saturday’s game.

She acknowledged rivalries are “great for sport,” and it made sense “geographically” why Indiana and Chicago would be rivals. But she shut down that the Fever treated the Sky any differently from the rest of the league.

Reese has avoided mentioning Clark, as well, and when asked about the incident after the game, she offered only eight words: ‘‘Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on.’’

Reese and Clark have been pitted against each other for years, dating back to the 2023 national championship game between the former’s LSU Tigers and the latter’s Iowa Hawkeyes. Reese mimicked a “you can’t see me” celebration Clark had done in previous rounds.

The two teamed up at the 2024 All-Star Game and, at the time, spoke positively about their first time playing on the same side. “That’s what everybody wants to see,” Reese said in July.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert compared the rivalry between Reese and Clark to the ’80s NBA rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird during an appearance on CNBC in September. However, Engelbert received pushback, including from the WNBPA, for not acknowledging the hate that players have received on social media. 

What Makes a Rivalry?

Rivalries are often fortified through hard-fought battles and traded blows—but this may turn into a one-sided affair.

The Fever’s 35-point win Saturday marked the second-largest margin of victory in franchise history. Indiana is now 4–1 against Chicago since the two stars were drafted last year.

This season, the Fever are expected to challenge for a championship and have the second-best title odds on FanDuel. The Sky are 10th among the 13 WNBA teams.