Catlin Clark And Angel Reese
What began as a flashpoint in the 2023 NCAA Championship Game between Iowa and LSU has since grown into one of the most compelling narratives in women’s sports. In that April showdown, LSU’s Angel Reese delivered a post‑game taunt sliding her hand in front of her face in a nod to John Cena’s “You can’t see me” gesture, then pointing to her championship ring finger. Reese finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds; Caitlin Clark, despite scoring 30 points, walked off the court on the losing side
The moment turned viral, igniting conversations about sportsmanship, race, and how assertiveness is perceived differently when displayed by Black and white athletes. Reese, facing public backlash, later contended the criticism had racial undertones saying she was labeled “too ghetto” to fit the preferred narrative which amplified the broader cultural discourse surrounding the clash
From College to the WNBA: The Rivalry Evolves
Both players declared for the WNBA Draft in 2024 Clark going No. 1 to the Indiana Fever, Reese at No. 7 to the Chicago Sky. Their pro debut matchup in May 2024 was physical and promotional gold, featuring a flagrant foul by Sky’s Chennedy Carter on Clark. Reese was seen applauding the hit, while Clark calmly downplayed it as “just part of basketball.” The broadcast drew ESPN2’s highest WNBA rating in over two decades
Reese’s rookie season saw her dominate the glass, setting the record for most consecutive double-doubles (15) and leading the league in rebounds. Clark immediately made her own mark, leading rookie stats in assists and earning Rookie of the Year honors
By Season Opener 2025, their rivalry had reached a new peak. In Clark’s Indiana Fever vs. Reese’s Chicago Sky matchup, Clark delivered a triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) while committing a controversial flagrant foul on Reese. The Sky forward reportedly confronted her but was restrained, increasing national attention on what was becoming more than just a game: it became a cultural flashpoint. The viewership smashed records averaging 2.7 million viewers and peaking at 3.1 million making it the highest-rated WNBA regular season game in 25 years
The Numbers Behind the Narrative
Through their early encounters, the data reveals their contrasting styles:
Caitlin Clark thrives in creation hoisting up assists and stretching defenses with shooting and vision. Angel Reese is a force in the paint relentless on the glass, physical, and a disruptor defensively.
In head-to-head matchups from college to All-Star to WNBA the series stands with Reese ahead 2–1. Yet the rivalry is more about story texture than stat lines
WNBA analyst Nick Wright noted that for the rivalry to sustain traction, Reese had to elevate her game and in mid‑2025, she did. Wright declared that, based on her recent stretch, Reese is “a top 15 player in the league” thanks to her two-way growth
Rivalry Meets Reality: Media, Misogyny, and Race
As the media stoked the rivalry, critics argued it had veered into sensationalism. A Forbes piece described how the Clark–Reese storyline became a vessel for racialized and sexist commentary beyond the control of either athlete and emphasized the need to separate hype from respect for both players’ talents
In a similar vein, Salon.com examined how the spectacle sometimes overshadowed the sport asserting that the rivalry, in elevating viewership, also exposed the ugly side of the WNBA’s sudden rise: fan vitriol, racial slurs, and invasive media narratives
Moments of Tension and Moments of Respect
Media refusal: Angel Reese declined to participate in a press conference or offer comments for Christine Brennan’s book on Caitlin Clark. She was fined $1,000 by the WNBA and publicly remained silent fueling rumors of lingering personal tension
Joint appearance: Yet despite all the media drama, Clark and Reese were spotted exchanging a unifying gesture at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game highlighting that, despite the competitive narrative, mutual respect remains a key undercurrent
Clark, for her part, has repeatedly downplayed the notion of animosity pointing instead to underlying respect and shared ambition: “I don’t think Angel should be criticized… I’m just one that competes,” she said following the 2023 NCAA final. Clark also emphasized the professional nature of on-court incidents, like the May 17 flagrant foul or hate directed at Reese: “There’s no place for that in our game… in society”
The Business of Rivalry
The WNBA itself has leaned into the storyline strategically:
In the 2025 schedule release, WNBA announced five matchups between Clark’s Fever and Reese’s Sky, including national primetime games and the very first WNBA contest held at Chicago’s massive United Center double the size of Wintrust Arena to meet skyrocketing demand
Magic Johnson compared the rivalry’s impact on the WNBA to his own legendary rivalry with Larry Bird, calling Clark–Reese “transformational,” and praised how rivalry can accelerate investment citing charter flights and the upcoming CBA negotiation to raise player salaries
Angela Reese herself has built her own brand with a Reebok shoe line, an appearance on NBA 2K26’s WNBA cover, and leading the league in rebounding. Meanwhile Clark turned down a $5 million deal from Big 3 (Ice Cube’s league), which made headlines and sparked debate over whose commercial value was stronger. Ice Cube clarified Reese was not offered a deal for financial reasons underscoring how perceptions of value can differ even among peers
Looking Ahead: Where Rivalry Goes from Here
In August 2025, the WNBA will debut its first-ever Rivals Week, which prominently features matchup games between Clark’s Fever and Reese’s Sky firmly branding the storyline as central to its marketing strategy On court, both players are still evolving Reese has grown into a dominant two-way star, while Clark continues redefining guard play with passing and high-arching threes. Off court, both have emerged as cultural icons. Clark leads WNBA fan voting by wide margins; Reese is skyrocketing thanks to her assertiveness, aesthetic and unapologetic personality. Analysts frequently cite both as core drivers behind the league’s growth in viewership, merchandise, and endorsement opportunities
The Big Picture
The Caitlin Clark–Angel Reese rivalry is more than a competitive subplot it has become a symbol of modern women’s basketball:
A ratings engine: Their top matchups set WNBA viewership records, with regular season games drawing upward of 3 million viewers
Cultural lightning: Their interactions sparked national conversation around race, identity, professionalism, and the double standards faced by women in sports.
Economic catalyst: Ticket sales soared, arenas sold out, and primetime national broadcasts became viable, pushing the league into new financial terrain.
Role model impact: Tweens across the country girls especially are watching the athletic contrast between Clark’s finesse and Reese’s physicality, embracing both as icons.
Yes, critics argue the rivalry is media-enhanced and sometimes damaging in its excess. Yet both athletes have consistently communicated respect for one another, and the WNBA has seen tangible growth amid the drama.
In many ways, this rivalry mirrors that of Magic and Bird two very different personalities, driving interest not just in their teams, but in entire seasons and eras. As Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark continue their journey, the narrative is still unfolding. And for fans and for the WNBA it’s only getting started.