In the opening game of the 2025 WNBA season, the long-standing rivalry between Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark intensified during a highly anticipated matchup. The game, which saw the Fever dominate with a 93-58 victory, was marked by a significant incident in the third quarter when Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese, shoving her to the ground during a putback attempt. Both players, along with Fever’s Aliyah Boston, received technical fouls following the altercation .
Despite the on-court tension, Reese has embraced her role in this rivalry, stating, “I’ll take the bad guy role… and be that for my teammates,” emphasizing her willingness to generate more interest in women’s basketball . She further clarified that the competition is strictly professional, noting, “Once we get out between those lines, if I see you walking down the street, it’s like, ‘Hey, girl, what’s up? Let’s hang out.’ I think people just take it like we hate each other. Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other. I want everybody to understand that” .
Clark, on her part, has downplayed the rivalry narrative, asserting, “I’m pretty sure the only people that view this as a rivalry is all of you. Like, to us it’s just a game of basketball” . She has also defended Reese in the past, stating, “I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all. I’m just one that competes, and she competed” .
The rivalry between Reese and Clark dates back to their college days, notably during the 2023 NCAA national championship game where Reese’s taunt towards Clark sparked widespread attention. Their subsequent encounters have continued to draw significant viewership, with their games setting records and contributing to the growing popularity of the WNBA .
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has acknowledged the positive impact of this rivalry on the league, comparing it to the iconic Bird-Magic rivalry of the NBA, and highlighting its role in drawing attention and eliminating apathy in the WNBA .
As the season progresses, the dynamic between Reese and Clark continues to captivate fans, not only for their on-court performances but also for the broader conversations they inspire about competition, representation, and the evolution of women’s basketball.
