Caitlin Clark pushes back against idea of rivalry vs. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky

Caitlin Clark pushes back against idea of rivalry vs. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are gearing up to face the Chicago Sky for their third clash of the season this Sunday at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN. This matchup is generating significant buzz, not just for the game itself but for the underlying storylines involving Clark and Sky forward Angel Reese.
Their most recent meeting on June 16 drew an astounding average of 2.25 million viewers, peaking at nearly three million, making it the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years. The interest is partly fueled by the history between Clark and Reese, dating back to their college days. Two years ago, Reese's LSU triumphed over Clark's Iowa in the NCAA Tournament national championship game with a decisive 102-85 victory. However, this past spring, Iowa, led by Clark, secured a measure of revenge by defeating LSU 94-87 in the Elite Eight, propelling Iowa to a second consecutive national championship game appearance.
The WNBA encounters between Clark's Fever and Reese's Sky have been equally compelling. Their first meeting on June 1 was a nail-biter, with the Fever narrowly edging out the Sky 71-70. The game drew additional attention due to an incident where Sky guard Chennedy Carter committed an away-from-the-play foul on Clark at the end of the third quarter. The foul was later upgraded to a Flagrant 1 by the league, igniting a debate among sports fans about the nature of physical play in basketball.
In their second matchup, Clark led the Fever to another victory over the Sky, scoring 23 points, including three 3-pointers, and contributing nine assists and eight rebounds. However, it was Reese's Flagrant 1 foul on Clark that once again stole postgame headlines, intensifying the speculation about a burgeoning rivalry between the two players.
After the Fever's recent 91-79 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Friday night, Clark addressed the hype surrounding the upcoming game against the Sky. Despite the media and fans framing it as a heated rivalry, Clark downplayed this notion.
"I mean, I think we’re just taking it one game at a time and I think that’s why we’ve been able to be successful in this stretch is because we haven’t looked too far ahead. It’s the game that’s just always right in front of us," Clark explained. "I’m pretty sure the only people that have viewed this as a rivalry is all of you. For us, it’s just a game of basketball. That’s what it is, and, if it’s going to help move the game forward, absolutely. That’s amazing. That’s what it should be. People can talk about it."
Clark acknowledged the significant draw she, the Fever, and Reese and the Sky have for women's basketball fans, evidenced by soaring ticket prices. "I saw the ticket prices. I guess the only thing is I’m surprised we’re not playing at the United Center. I thought that would have been really good for the game and really good for all the women’s basketball fans in Chicago. Maybe there’s a conflict of some sort that I don’t know about. Obviously, that’s a little above my pay grade, but we’re excited."
She emphasized the team's focus on the present, saying, "One game at a time. You’ve kind of got to wipe this and learn from it. We travel tonight and get there and practice and it’s a prep and then you’re playing the next day at 4 p.m. Like I said, if that’s what’s going to help the game move forward, absolutely. I think the two prior matchups have really lived up to what everybody expected and just really great basketball games honestly."
In Friday’s game against the Atlanta Dream, Clark showcased her versatility with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, along with seven assists, four rebounds, and a block. As the Fever prepare for their next challenge against the Sky, all eyes will be on Clark and Reese, regardless of the players' perspectives on their supposed rivalry.

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She scared of Clark

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Reese is a roach bug