In the lead-up to the 2025 WNBA season, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese made headlines by abruptly shutting down a question about her longtime rival, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. During a media session on May 12, a reporter began referencing Reese’s previous comments about sharing credit for the growth of women’s basketball. Before the question could be completed, Reese interjected with a firm “Next question,” signaling her desire to move past the ongoing narrative surrounding her and Clark .
This incident occurred just days before the Sky’s season opener against the Fever on May 17, where tensions between the two players resurfaced on the court. In the third quarter, Clark committed a hard foul on Reese, resulting in a flagrant-1 call. The altercation led to technical fouls for both Reese and Fever teammate Aliyah Boston .
Despite the physicality, both players downplayed the incident postgame. Clark described the foul as a “good take foul,” emphasizing it was a routine basketball play with no malicious intent . Reese echoed this sentiment, stating, “Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on” .
The rivalry between Reese and Clark dates back to their college days, notably during the 2023 NCAA national title game, where Reese’s taunting gesture towards Clark garnered significant media attention. Since then, their interactions have been closely scrutinized, often overshadowing their on-court performances .
In the season opener, Clark led the Fever with a triple-double—20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists—propelling her team to a dominant 93-58 victory over the Sky. Reese contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds in the loss .
As the season progresses, both players seem intent on focusing on their respective teams and performances rather than fueling off-court narratives. Reese’s curt dismissal of the media question underscores her commitment to moving forward, while Clark continues to let her game speak for itself.
Their next matchup is highly anticipated, promising continued fan and media engagement regardless of team performance.
