Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s Rivalry Intensifies After Controversial Collision

May 18, 2025 — A Fiery Preseason Matchup

In what was already expected to be an intense rivalry matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, the preseason opener on Saturday turned into a spectacle of both high-level basketball and heated moments. While Caitlin Clark, last year’s WNBA Rookie of the Year, made headlines with her performance, it was the physical play and ensuing tension between her and Angel Reese that stole the spotlight and had the basketball world buzzing.

With a 93-58 win for the Fever, boosted by Clark’s third career triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), the result was definitive. But it was what happened during the game—particularly a flagrant foul by Clark on Reese—that set the stage for the latest chapter in this already fierce rivalry.

The Incident: A Flagged Foul and Heated Reaction

The drama unfolded in the third quarter, with the Fever holding a comfortable 56-42 lead. Clark, known for her scoring ability and playmaking, was defending Reese under the basket when she committed a hard, aggressive foul that many fans quickly labeled a “flagrant.” The foul came during a dead-ball situation, and while Clark’s attempt to steal the ball was certainly intense, Reese’s reaction—falling dramatically to the floor and flailing her arms—added fuel to the fire.

Reese quickly jumped back to her feet and made an attempt to retaliate, with her hand darting toward Clark’s face. Clark, meanwhile, walked away from the situation, visibly unbothered, but Reese’s teammates, including Aliyah Boston, stepped in to restrain her and prevent any further escalation.

The game saw both teams called for offsetting technical fouls, with Reese and Boston receiving the penalties for the altercation. Reese’s aggression didn’t go unnoticed, and the incident became the talk of social media within minutes.

Social Media Reactions: A Divided Fanbase

As expected, the fallout from the incident was swift. Fans quickly flooded social media with their reactions, many defending Reese for standing up for herself and retaliating in a high-intensity moment, while others criticized her for the overly dramatic reaction. One fan posted, “Isn’t that the whole point of playing professional basketball? To compete hard?” Others, however, were less supportive, calling out Reese for her physicality and her tendency to escalate situations.

Even more shocking was the comparison drawn between this incident and past clashes between Clark and Reese. “Back to back no calls but they give Clark a tech,” one fan wrote. “That no call is wild. She gets free smacks to the face,” another posted, implying that Clark wasn’t getting the protection she deserved on the court.

A Rivalry Steeped in History

The Clark-Reese rivalry has been brewing ever since the 2023 NCAA National Championship, where Reese’s LSU team defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes, a victory that was famously followed by Reese’s “You can’t see me” taunt. The rivalry carried over to the 2024 season, with Clark’s Fever eventually avenging the loss with a victory over Reese’s Sky in the Elite Eight. The intensity between the two stars has continued to build, with each game bringing more emotion, drama, and competitive fire.

Their rivalry took on an even more personal dimension during the 2024 season, when Reese’s mother, also named Angel, made waves on social media by commenting on the disparity between attendance at a homecoming game for Clark at the University of Iowa and Reese’s lack of similar fanfare in Chicago. Reese’s mother made her opinion clear with a now-infamous tweet: “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.”

The Media and Fan Backlash

While the rivalry has undeniably captured the attention of fans and analysts alike, it has also attracted its share of controversy. Critics have argued that the animosity between the two players has now gone too far, especially with personal barbs being thrown online. After the incident on the court, ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said, “Everyone in the arena had to know this foul was coming. As soon as you saw Angel Reese wide open, you knew Caitlin Clark was going to come in and take that foul.”

The remarks added fuel to the fire, as fans and analysts debated the intentions behind Clark’s foul and whether it was a calculated move to stir up the rivalry.

What’s Next: The WNBA’s Growing Rivalry and Its Impact

As the season moves forward, this rivalry is far from over. The next matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, scheduled for May 20 in Indiana, promises to bring even more drama as both teams prepare to settle the score on the court. The WNBA’s new era, with Clark and Reese leading the charge, is quickly becoming one of the most exciting storylines in the league.

As for Reese, her emotions after the foul and the ensuing drama will undoubtedly fuel her on-court performance. Fans are eager to see how this rivalry will unfold over the course of the season, and whether Reese will continue to be the fierce competitor who won’t back down from anyone.

Conclusion: A Rivalry with No End in Sight

The latest incident between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese proves that this rivalry has no intention of cooling down anytime soon. What started as a college basketball showdown has quickly become one of the most heated rivalries in women’s basketball. Whether on the court or off it, Reese and Clark are reshaping the WNBA and proving that their rivalry is one worth watching.

As the WNBA season progresses, fans can expect more fireworks and drama as these two stars continue to battle it out for supremacy. Whether it’s on the scoreboard or in the headlines, the Clark-Reese rivalry will be one of the defining storylines of the season, and the league has never been more exciting.