Sports
WNBA - English
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have only been professional rivals for a year, yet their competitive fire is already lighting up the WNBA conversation.
The latest accelerant arrived courtesy of former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who-during a national radio hit-didn’t mince words: “She hates Caitlin Clark.” With that single sentence, Orlovsky transformed a simmering storyline into a full-blown talking point.
Angel Reese brushes off media question after defending her place in women’s basketball
According to Orlovsky, Reese’s on-court physicality isn’t just playoff intensity -it’s personal. He argued that the Chicago Sky rookie has carried lingering resentment from their college battles into the pros and is determined to “make life miserable” for the Indiana Fever guard every chance she gets.
“It’s obvious,” Orlovsky added. “She wants to send a message every possession.”
Game Recap: Nuggets 119, Thunder 107
Reese hasn’t publicly mirrored that hostility. Instead, she has used interviews to focus on winning habits and team identity. After a heated Fever-Sky matchup that featured hard screens and chirping in both directions, the LSU legend insisted she harbors no grudges: “I’m a competitor. She’s a competitor. That’s basketball.”
Much of the drama stems from last year’s NCAA championship game, when Reese famously flashed John Cena’s “You can’t see me” gesture toward Clark in the closing seconds.
Social media transformed the moment into instant cultural currency-part celebration, part controversy. Both stars parlayed the attention into enormous NIL valuations, then landed among the top selections in April’s WNBA draft.
True rivalry or manufactured beef?
The question now is whether this is genuine animus or an outsider-constructed narrative designed to juice ratings. Orlovsky is adamant it’s real, claiming he’s heard from “people close to the Sky locker room.”
Yet league veterans caution that intense matchups are nothing new. “Every great era has needed friction,” former MVP Sheryl Swoopes noted recently. “If these two push each other to new heights, the league wins.”
In truth, there is more connective tissue than conflict. Clark has repeatedly praised Reese as “a phenomenal rebounder who never takes a play off,” while Reese credited Clark for “bringing unprecedented eyeballs to women’s hoops.” They’ve appeared together in national ad campaigns and share representation with several corporate partners eager to leverage their combined reach.
Still, sparks keep flying. In their most recent contest, Reese recorded 14 points and 15 boards, punctuating a key put-back with a primal scream in Clark’s direction. Clark responded by drilling a logo three on the next trip and, according to courtside microphones, remarking, “We’re just getting started.”
Front-office executives quietly celebrate the tension. Early-season Fever-Sky broadcasts have generated record streaming numbers, and ticket prices for their July rematch in Chicago are approaching NBA territory on resale sites. “Storylines drive sport,” one WNBA marketing official admitted. “Right now, Angel and Caitlin are must-see TV.”
Whether the friction is authentic or exaggerated, Orlovsky’s comment crystallized the public perception of a feud. Reese, for her part, refuses to stoke the fire verbally. “Talk is cheap,” she said when asked to respond to the former QB’s critique. “I’ll keep proving myself between the lines.”
Clark echoed a similar sentiment: “I respect anyone who plays hard. That’s how the game should be.”
As the long summer schedule unfolds, fans will decide whether they’re witnessing basketball’s next great rivalry or simply two ultra-competitive rookies learning the professional ropes. Either way, every Fever-Sky tip-off now feels like appointment viewing-thanks in large part to one blunt declaration from a retired signal-caller who threw fuel on an already blazing narrative.
One thing is certain: With ratings soaring and arenas buzzing, the WNBA isn’t asking anyone to dial it back. In the words of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert earlier this week, “Let them compete.”
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Astros sticking with manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown next season despite late collapse, missing playoffs
Though they fell apart in the back half of the season and missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, the Houston Astros aren’t making any leadership changes this offseason.The Astros are bringing back both general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada for the 2026 campaign, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Both of their contracts run through the 2026 season, however, so speculations about their futures with the organization aren’t likely to go away anytime soon.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Get more Astros news: Houston team feed]The Astros went 87-75 this season and finished three games back from the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Houston, however, held a seven-game lead in the division at one point and were in first place last month before dropping six of their last nine games to end the year.The Astros, who have been to […]
Fantasy Football: How much does Joe Flacco trade move the needle for Ja’Marr Chase, rest of Bengals offense?
The Cincinnati Bengals' struggles this season are well-documented. After a third straight loss without Joe Burrow at the helm and Jake Browning under center, the Bengals opted to trade in-division for Cleveland Browns vetearn QB Joe Flacco on Tuesday. Flacco won't have much time to prepare if he's to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. For fantasy football managers, the question is, will the addition of Flacco be a boon for Ja'Marr Chase, Chase Brown and Tee Higgins the rest of the season?The Yahoo Fantasy Forecast took a look at the trade with Matt Harmon and Ray Garvin talking future outlook for Chase, Brown and Higgins in the video above. Harmon doesn't believe this moves the needle much but gives a slight bump to Chase. It also doesn't hurt having a checkdown merchant for Brown to collect […]
Shedeur Sanders Moves Closer to Becoming a Starting QB After Joe Flacco Trade
<!--> [--> Eric Williams NFL Reporter <!--> --> Despite the latest headlines generated by providing silent answers to reporters after Dillon Gabriel was announced the starter last week in place of 40-year-old Joe Flacco, things are going as planned for Shedeur Sanders with the Cleveland Browns.Sanders was the fourth quarterback in training camp, but moved up to the No. 3 guy when the Browns traded veteran journeyman Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders. And after serving as the third-string quarterback for the first five weeks of the season, Sanders is in line to be the backup to Gabriel after Cleveland surprisingly traded Flacco within the AFC North to the Cincinnati Bengals along with a sixth-round pick, receiving a fifth-rounder in return.As of Tuesday afternoon, Sanders is listed as the Browns' primary backup quarterback on their unofficial depth chart. However, […]
Zvrat pro českého útočníka. Tomášek přece jen dostane šanci v Oilers
Už to vypadalo, že žádný z nováčků, kteří po loňské sezoně odešli zkusit štěstí do zámoří, se v hlavní soutěži NHL zatím neprosadí. Jen pár minut po startu nového ročníku ale přišla pro české fanoušky dobrá zpráva z Edmontonu.Oilers si z AHL zpátky stáhli devětadvacetiletého Davida Tomáška a dopsali ho na soupisku A týmu. Rodák z Prahy a mistr světa by si tak mohl teoreticky odbýt debut v hlavní soutěži NHL už v noci ze středy na čtvrtek, kdy Edmonton doma přivítá Calgary.K dodatečnému povolání sáhl realizační tým kvůli absenci útočníka Zacha Hymana, který doléčuje zápěstí po operaci a klub ho zařadil na listinu dlouhodobě zraněných hráčů. Společně s Tomáškem, který má v Edmontonu roční kontrakt na 1,2 milionu dolarů, Oilers povolali i forvarda Isaaca Howarda.Na soupiskách týmů NHL tak nyní figuruje rovná dvacítka českých hráčů, z toho sedm gólmanů. Specifickým případem je pak vítěz Stanley Cupu Tomáš Nosek, který je pro blíže nespecifikované zranění umístěn na […]
Brewers are out to PROVE a point after 2-0 lead vs Cubs 🔥 Derek Jeter, Big Papi & A-Rod weigh in
Major League Baseball Video Details Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez reveal why the Milwaukee Brewers are the most balanced team in baseball after leading the Chicago Cubs, 2-0. 43 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・1:55
‘I’m on my own’ – Littler to go solo after management split
Luke Littler plans to look after his own career following a split from ZXF Sports Management on the eve of the World Grand Prix.Littler, speaking after his scintillating 2-0 win over Gian van Veen in the opening round of the double-in, double-out event in Leicester, will now primarily manage himself, with help from family and Garry Plummer at Target Darts. The reigning world and World Matchplay champion and 2023 Premier League winner had been with his previous management group, run by Martin Foulds, since the age of 13 in 2020. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Littler capped a sensational display with a brilliant 144 to knock out Van Veen at Mattioli Arena Littler would not be drawn on the reason for the break up but told reporters on Tuesday: "I'm on my own. Just as myself, […]
Related
Astros sticking with manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown next season despite late collapse, missing playoffs
Though they fell apart in the back half of the season and missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, the Houston Astros aren’t making any leadership changes this offseason.The Astros are bringing back both general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada for the 2026 campaign, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Both of their contracts run through the 2026 season, however, so speculations about their futures with the organization aren’t likely to go away anytime soon.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement[Get more Astros news: Houston team feed]The Astros went 87-75 this season and finished three games back from the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Houston, however, held a seven-game lead in the division at one point and were in first place last month before dropping six of their last nine games to end the year.The Astros, who have been to […]
Fantasy Football: How much does Joe Flacco trade move the needle for Ja’Marr Chase, rest of Bengals offense?
The Cincinnati Bengals' struggles this season are well-documented. After a third straight loss without Joe Burrow at the helm and Jake Browning under center, the Bengals opted to trade in-division for Cleveland Browns vetearn QB Joe Flacco on Tuesday. Flacco won't have much time to prepare if he's to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. For fantasy football managers, the question is, will the addition of Flacco be a boon for Ja'Marr Chase, Chase Brown and Tee Higgins the rest of the season?The Yahoo Fantasy Forecast took a look at the trade with Matt Harmon and Ray Garvin talking future outlook for Chase, Brown and Higgins in the video above. Harmon doesn't believe this moves the needle much but gives a slight bump to Chase. It also doesn't hurt having a checkdown merchant for Brown to collect […]
Shedeur Sanders Moves Closer to Becoming a Starting QB After Joe Flacco Trade
<!--> [--> Eric Williams NFL Reporter <!--> --> Despite the latest headlines generated by providing silent answers to reporters after Dillon Gabriel was announced the starter last week in place of 40-year-old Joe Flacco, things are going as planned for Shedeur Sanders with the Cleveland Browns.Sanders was the fourth quarterback in training camp, but moved up to the No. 3 guy when the Browns traded veteran journeyman Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders. And after serving as the third-string quarterback for the first five weeks of the season, Sanders is in line to be the backup to Gabriel after Cleveland surprisingly traded Flacco within the AFC North to the Cincinnati Bengals along with a sixth-round pick, receiving a fifth-rounder in return.As of Tuesday afternoon, Sanders is listed as the Browns' primary backup quarterback on their unofficial depth chart. However, […]
Zvrat pro českého útočníka. Tomášek přece jen dostane šanci v Oilers
Už to vypadalo, že žádný z nováčků, kteří po loňské sezoně odešli zkusit štěstí do zámoří, se v hlavní soutěži NHL zatím neprosadí. Jen pár minut po startu nového ročníku ale přišla pro české fanoušky dobrá zpráva z Edmontonu.Oilers si z AHL zpátky stáhli devětadvacetiletého Davida Tomáška a dopsali ho na soupisku A týmu. Rodák z Prahy a mistr světa by si tak mohl teoreticky odbýt debut v hlavní soutěži NHL už v noci ze středy na čtvrtek, kdy Edmonton doma přivítá Calgary.K dodatečnému povolání sáhl realizační tým kvůli absenci útočníka Zacha Hymana, který doléčuje zápěstí po operaci a klub ho zařadil na listinu dlouhodobě zraněných hráčů. Společně s Tomáškem, který má v Edmontonu roční kontrakt na 1,2 milionu dolarů, Oilers povolali i forvarda Isaaca Howarda.Na soupiskách týmů NHL tak nyní figuruje rovná dvacítka českých hráčů, z toho sedm gólmanů. Specifickým případem je pak vítěz Stanley Cupu Tomáš Nosek, který je pro blíže nespecifikované zranění umístěn na […]
Brewers are out to PROVE a point after 2-0 lead vs Cubs 🔥 Derek Jeter, Big Papi & A-Rod weigh in
Major League Baseball Video Details Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez reveal why the Milwaukee Brewers are the most balanced team in baseball after leading the Chicago Cubs, 2-0. 43 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・1:55
‘I’m on my own’ – Littler to go solo after management split
Luke Littler plans to look after his own career following a split from ZXF Sports Management on the eve of the World Grand Prix.Littler, speaking after his scintillating 2-0 win over Gian van Veen in the opening round of the double-in, double-out event in Leicester, will now primarily manage himself, with help from family and Garry Plummer at Target Darts. The reigning world and World Matchplay champion and 2023 Premier League winner had been with his previous management group, run by Martin Foulds, since the age of 13 in 2020. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Littler capped a sensational display with a brilliant 144 to knock out Van Veen at Mattioli Arena Littler would not be drawn on the reason for the break up but told reporters on Tuesday: "I'm on my own. Just as myself, […]
Be the first to leave a comment