Caitlin Clark’s confusion, Angel Reese’s brutal two-word shutdown, ‘not best friends’ stance

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are set to reignite their rivalry when the 2025 WNBA season gets underway this weekend, and we’ve taken a closer look at the relationship between the two stars

The WNBA makes its long-awaited return on Saturday night, and with it comes a mouth-watering clash featuring two of the game’s biggest stars.

Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever and Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky will lock horns in an opening round match-up that is sure to dominate the weekend’s headlines. The two basketball stars have still been viewed as heated rivals even before they both entered the WNBA in 2024.

Since then, the pair have tangled on the court and frequently spoken about one another in the media. With the big clash approaching, we delve deeper into the Clark vs Reese rivalry.

Caitlin Clark’s confusion and ‘friends stance’

Clark spoke out about her rumored rivalry with Reese as she was named Time’s 2024 Athlete of the Year. The 23-year-old point guard displayed confusion over how the duo were now supposed enemies, yet did stress that they are not close.

“I don’t get that at all,” she said. “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another. Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me? The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up.”

The rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has been cranked up ahead of the new season(

The 2023 NCCA showdown between Reese’s Louisiana State University and Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes has become notorious, particularly for a moment when the victorious Reese unleashed the ‘you can’t see me’ hand gesture, a dig made famous by WWE legend John Cena, in the vicinity of Clark.

Clark later addressed Reese’s actions saying she “didn’t think it was taunting” and that “it really didn’t bother” her. An incident last season also saw Clark checked by former Sky player Chennedy Carter. Reese rose from the bench at the moment of impact with some suggesting she was cheering on her team-mate.

Clark later clarified: “I don’t even know if she really knew what happened.” She added: “Honestly, I don’t think she was cheering because somebody hit me. I really don’t think that would be the case. I hope not.”

Angel Reese’s two-word shutdown

Despite Clark attempting to calm the waters, 23-year-old Reese was quick to cause a ripple during the Sky’s media day ahead of the new season. Asked about the rivalry, a frustrated Reese bluntly shut down the question by simply saying: “Next question.”

Prior to this, during an appearance at a Complex Conversations event in September 2024, Reese had claimed her beef with Clark was orchestrated. She later claimed she was largely indifferent to the Fever star.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark will face off again when the new WNBA season starts on Saturday(

Obviously social media is going to put two women against each other,” she said. “I think it’s been something that’s negative, but also positive. I think it shines light on women’s basketball, so I’ll take that as being able to be the person that gets the hate.

“I don’t have any hard feelings toward her and she doesn’t have any hard feelings towards me, it’s just basketball and it gets crazy sometimes.”

Angel Reese’s mum’s brutal dig

If Reese was hoping to keep any animosity at bay, her mom hasn’t helped the situation after she took a brutal swipe at Clark and her fans after star’s college homecoming earlier in May.

Clark made an emotional return to Iowa as Indiana faced the Brazil national team in an exhibition at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Angel Reese’s mom (L) has taken aim at Caitlin Clark(Image: Instagram/AngelReese)

With the women’s basketball icon back in town for the day, the non-competitive fixture saw a sell-out 14,998 crowd. Yet Angel Webb Reese couldn’t help air her feelings on X

She posted: “Aww that certain fan base looking in the stands celebrating ‘attendance’ while others are looking up in the rafters celebrating championship banners. We ain’t the same. Different year same haters – have a great day”.

Bringing the tension full circle, the barb was believed to be in reference to LSU’s famous win over Iowa in the legendary 2023 clash, the very game that originally sparked the rivalry.