In a moment that’s now fueling one of the most intense debates in WNBA history, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese may have just undermined her own past claims during a post-game press conference — admitting, even if unintentionally, that her statements about Caitlin Clark’s fans being racially motivated were “not entirely true.”

What began as a tense rivalry between two of the league’s most followed stars — Reese and Clark — has now exploded into a new firestorm, with Reese’s accidental confession caught live on camera, sending fans, analysts, and critics into a frenzy.

🎤 The Slip-Up That Sparked a Storm

During a routine post-game press conference following the Fever vs. Sky matchup, Angel Reese was asked about how she deals with the backlash from opposing fanbases. While responding, she seemingly let her guard down and admitted:

“Look… a lot of it was just heat-of-the-moment stuff. I mean, not all Clark fans are racist. I get that now. It was just… emotions. That’s all.”

The room went silent — followed by a barrage of follow-up questions.

One reporter asked for clarification, to which Reese quickly added:

“I’m not saying I lied — just that I let the moment get the best of me back then.”

💥 Online Reaction: ‘She LIED and Played the Race Card?’

Social media exploded within minutes of the presser, with hashtags like:

#AngelReeseExposed

#CaitlinClarkFansCleared

#RaceCardBacklash

trending across Twitter/X and TikTok.

“So she weaponized racism to gain sympathy? This is beyond disappointing,” one user wrote.
“You can’t throw that kind of accusation and then say ‘it was emotions,’” another fan responded.
“Caitlin Clark stayed quiet and classy while being called out for months. And now this?!”

Many are now calling on the WNBA to issue a formal response, as critics argue this moment has further divided an already tense fanbase and undermined legitimate conversations about race in sports.

🧊 Reese’s PR Team in Damage Control Mode

Sources say Angel Reese’s management team is now in full crisis mode, preparing an official statement to clarify her remarks. A source close to her camp shared:

“She didn’t mean to say it the way it came out. She’s not denying her experience — she just realizes now that not every critic of her or fan of Clark is motivated by hate.”

Still, fans aren’t satisfied.

“That’s not just a bad take — that’s a dangerous narrative,” one sports analyst said.

👑 Clark Fans Rejoice: ‘Vindication at Last!’

Caitlin Clark, who has faced relentless criticism and fouls on and off the court, has remained largely silent throughout the media firestorms. But fans of the Fever rookie sensation are now calling this moment a “complete vindication.”

“She never responded to the hate — she just played her game. And now the truth is coming out,” one tweet read.
“Caitlin handled months of slander with class. Now it’s time people admit she was unfairly targeted,” another added.

💬 Final Thought: When the Narrative Backfires

In an age where every word is recorded, dissected, and amplified, one slip in a press room can ignite a firestorm that burns louder than any stat sheet.

Angel Reese may have meant to explain herself — but instead, she sparked a backlash that could impact her reputation and credibility for seasons to come.

And Caitlin Clark?
She didn’t have to say a word — because truth, sometimes, speaks for itself.

WNBA investigating claims of racist comments during Clark-Reese game

The WNBA says it is looking into allegations of “hateful fan comments” during Indiana Fever’s fiery win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday.

Indiana eased to a 93-58 victory in their season opener against Chicago but the main storyline came when Fever star Caitlin Clark was called for a flagrant-1 foul on her longtime rival Angel Reese, which led to a brief confrontation between the players. The pair’s rivalry started in college and has continued into the WNBA. Clark is white and Reese is Black, and there has been racist and misogynistic abuse online around their relationship.

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Sources have told the Indianapolis Star the investigation is based around racist comments directed towards Reese from a member or members of the crowd, although they are not believed to have been directly related to the incident with Clark. On Sunday, the WNBA said it is looking into the matter without going into specifics.

“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms – they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter,” the league said in its statement.

The Indiana Fever likewise issued a statement saying they are aware of the allegations and adding that the team are working “closely” with the WNBA in its investigation. “We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players,” the team said.

The WNBA Players’ Association released its own statement on the subject. “Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport. Under the WNBA’s ‘No Space for Hate’ policy, we trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all,” the association wrote.

Both Clark and Reese downplayed the foul after Saturday’s game.

“Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” Clark said. “It was just a good play on the basketball … I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life, that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.”

Reese indicated she did not believe Clark was being cynical when she committed the foul, saying it was “a basketball play.”

Last season, a number of players who committed fouls on Clark were subjected to a significant amount of racist, sexist and homophobic comments online from people purporting to defend the guard.

“People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable,” Clark said last June. “… Treating every single woman in this league with the same amount of respect, I think, it’s just a basic human thing that everybody should do.”