They say rivalries are the soul of sports. It’s never just about the talent or the trophies—it’s about pride, passion, and proving a point. You know who that narrative is attached to in the WNBA. Magic Johnson gave his view — “Caitlin Clark and Angel are now doing the same thing, selling out arenas and increasing the viewership. They have taken women’s basketball by storm” — and Cathy Engelbert joined in to attest. The spectators gave it a meaning, too– 2.25 million viewers on CBS for their second Fever vs Sky showdown. So, we have them on the rivals week now. But is it a rivalry yet?
The Caitlin Clark–Angel Reese rivalry traces back to the 2023 NCAA championship game, where Reese and LSU walked away with the crown. That moment became iconic–not just because of the title, but because of what followed. A year later, Reese was seen taunting Clark again, pointing to her ring finger, a not-so-subtle reminder of who claimed the ring. It was fiery, it was emotional, and it got people talking. But does that alone make it a rivalry? Maybe not. Antics and trash talk are part of the game. A true rivalry needs more!
Zena Keita from No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show isn’t buying into the hype. She questioned why people are still trying to frame Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as rivals. “What is the rivalry that we’re talking about? Is it just two groups of people pinning two people on a team against each other? Because you’re right—Angel and Caitlin Clark have both established, like, we don’t hate each other. We have no problem with each other. They’re competitors, and that is the bottom line.”
Both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have made it clear–there’s no bad blood between them. They’re just two elite athletes driven by pure competition. Clark even pointed out that a lot of this so-called rivalry feels like something created by the media and fans. And let’s not forget, neither do they play the same position and nor have they even guarded each other on the court. So really, is there even a rivalry?
Ben Pickman echoed that same sentiment on the podcast. He pushed back on the idea that the Fever and Sky are actual rivals, saying, “I think the Fever-Sky conversation– there’s obviously so many ways to take it, it’s such a broad conversation. But like, just sticking a rivalry tag on them–are they really rivals? Personally, I don’t really buy into that. I think they’re just two teams at different points in their life cycle. I think people want to push this narrative that they are clear rivals.”
That might very well be the case. When you look at the Fever, there’s a clear urgency to win now. Veterans like Natasha Howard and DeWanna Bonner didn’t come to Indiana just to help develop the team—they came to deliver results. The additions of Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson only underline this, showing that the Fever are constructing a roster around Caitlin Clark–one that’s built for immediate success.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is announced ahead of a WNBA preseason game against the Brazil National Team May 4, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
In contrast, the Sky’s approach seems more focused on nurturing their young core of players like Reese, Cardoso, and HVL. Head coach Tyler Marsh has a solid track record of developing players, and that could very well be the plan moving forward. While the addition of veterans like Ariel Atkins is a solid move, the Sky’s roster doesn’t exactly scream “championship contender” just yet. It’s more about growth and development, rather than pushing for a title right away!
It wasn’t just these reporters who felt that the Reese and Clark rivalry had no merits. Caitlin Bickle, in an exclusive interview with us, revealed the same thing!
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are “so different,” says Caitlin Bickle
Former Connecticut Sun forward Caitlin Bickle sat down with Andrew Whitelaw for an exclusive EssentiallySports interview, where she addressed the “rivalry.” The 24-year-old shared a take that might let down those craving controversy.
She said, “I mean, I think they’re so different. Like, I think that’s just like, you’re right. It’s the media. I think it’s hilarious that they even get compared because they’re not even in the realm of being a similar player.” She continued, “I think they both do such different things the way that Clark creates for a team. She’s a phenomenal shooter, obviously, but I think she makes everyone great around her. And then you have Angel, on the other hand, that’s just a dog on the boards. You can’t really stop that. And so I think they’re so different in so many aspects, but they’re great at what they both do and they’re continuing to get better.”
The media, fans, and anyone who favors one over the other will probably keep drawing comparisons between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. But both players have shown the maturity to block out the noise and stay locked in on what really matters–the W and their personal goals.
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