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Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark‘s rivalry grabbed headlines again on May 17, when Clark’s Indiana Fever crushed Reese’s Chicago Sky 93-58 in their WNBA season opener. Clark shone with a triple-double-20 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds-while Reese managed 10 points and 15 rebounds. The game sparked debates about whether their competition is fueled by racial dynamics or simply a mix of success and envy, as Reese seems to struggle with Clark’s spotlight.
Their rivalry dates back to the 2023 NCAA Championship, where Reese’s LSU beat Clark’s Iowa. Since then, Clark has been a media darling, averaging 19.2 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.8 rebounds in her 2024 rookie season, earning her Rookie of the Year.
Caitlin Clark commits a huge foul over Angel Reese in order to defend her teammate
Reese, who averaged 13.6 points and 10.1 rebounds last year, hit a milestone during the game, becoming the fastest to reach 450 points and 450 rebounds in 35 games. Despite this, the Sky’s blowout loss left Reese’s achievement in the shadows, with fans on X noting, “211 are her own misses,” or “Another day, another record by Angel Reese .”
Some experts argue racial elements play a role. A March 2025 study by Rice University and the University of Illinois Chicago, cited by The Guardian, suggests bias shapes how fans view Reese, who is Black, and Clark, who is white. Analyst Mark Parsons told The Guardian, “If the season becomes mired and bogged down by this racial component… we’re not going to be seeing [much of] A’ja Wilson on SportsCenter.” Clark addressed such narratives last year, saying, “Those aren’t fans, those are trolls… it’s a real disservice to the people in our league,” showing her frustration with divisive takes.
Caitlin Clark and Fever Are Embracing the Pressure!
Reese-Clark tension goes beyond the court
Others see it as more about success and envy. ESPN’s Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin IIIclashed over the game, with Griffin posting on X, “Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark… I know what hatred looks like.” Clark countered on his podcast, “When RG3 jumps onto the hate train… it now follows what we saw from Keith Olbermann and Dave Portnoy, as they poured onto Angel Reese to make her the villain, and Caitlin Clark heroic.”
Reese’s focus on her own path hints at possible envy of Clark’s attention. She told ESPN’s NBA Today in July 2024, “I know we’ll be All-Stars again. Hopefully, 2028, we will be Olympians together, too,” emphasizing teamwork over rivalry.
The debate continues as both players shine in their own way, but the mix of Clark’s success and Reese’s apparent struggle to share the spotlight keeps their rivalry in focus, with racial discussions adding another layer to the conversation.
This news was originally published on this post .
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