The rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has been reignited, but Reese’s fans are quick to point out one area where she leads: social media. With 4.9 million Instagram followers, Reese has a significant advantage over Clark’s 3.2 million, along with a larger presence on platforms like X. While Clark holds numerous viewership records, Reese’s social media engagement has earned her a massive and loyal fan base. Will this influence translate into success on the court as well? Find out how the two stars are shaping the future of women’s basketball in more ways than one!

Angel Reese Fans Highlight Major Social Media Advantage Over Caitlin Clark

The rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, two of the brightest stars in women’s basketball, is heating up once again early in the 2025 WNBA season. While Clark continues to enjoy massive success on the court, Reese’s fans are quick to point out one area where she holds a clear advantage: social media followers. Despite Clark’s dominance in viewership and attendance records, Reese leads her rival in the number of followers across major social media platforms, with a significant gap between them.

Reese Takes the Social Media Lead

As of 2025, Angel Reese boasts an impressive 4.9 million followers on Instagram, surpassing Caitlin Clark’s 3.2 million by a staggering 1.7 million. This makes Reese not just one of the most popular players in the WNBA but also one of the most influential athletes online. But it’s not just Instagram where Reese shines—she also outpaces Clark on X (formerly Twitter), with a difference of 175,000 followers.

Reese’s engagement across all platforms has been praised for its authenticity and consistency. Her active social media presence has allowed her to cultivate a strong and dedicated fan base, with fans regularly interacting with her posts and updates. This level of engagement has made her one of the most-followed and influential athletes in the WNBA, particularly in comparison to Clark, whose follower count lags behind.

Bueckers Rises Quickly in Popularity

Though Reese leads in followers, she’s not the only player gaining attention online. Paige Bueckers, who was drafted into the WNBA in 2025, is already making waves with her social media presence. Bueckers, with 2.6 million Instagram followers, has quickly surpassed established players like Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, and Kelsey Plum in terms of social media popularity. Her rise in followers, despite being a newcomer, signals that she could become a major force in the WNBA both on the court and off.

Reese and Clark’s Early Season Struggles

While Reese and Clark have both garnered significant attention for their performances, the start of the 2025 season has been challenging for both players. Despite a dominant performance earlier in the season, Reese struggled in the Chicago Sky’s first win of the campaign, a hard-fought 97-92 victory over the Dallas Wings. Reese tallied only six points, nine rebounds, and five assists in 25 minutes on the court, and she found herself benched during the final quarter.

Head coach Tyler Marsh downplayed any concerns about Reese’s performance, praising her for her overall versatility. “I think that’s who Angel is in the best way,” Marsh said, emphasizing that Reese’s impact isn’t limited to just scoring and rebounding. “There’s so many different things that she can do on the court that helps a team win. Even though shots weren’t falling for her tonight, she had five assists. She snagged crucial rebounds when it mattered most.” Marsh also noted that Reese appeared to be dealing with discomfort in her left hand, the same hand she fractured during the previous season. “I’m not sure. We’ll reassess and have a better idea later,” he said regarding her condition.

Caitlin Clark’s Injury and the Fever’s Struggles

On the other side of the rivalry, Caitlin Clark has also been sidelined by an injury, a left quadriceps strain that will keep her out for at least two weeks. The injury occurred just as the Fever had managed to achieve a 2-2 record to start the season. In the absence of Clark, the Fever suffered a tough 83-77 loss to the Washington Mystics. Despite Clark’s injury, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham expressed determination, saying, “I think this was a kind of gut punch for us. We’re going to come back tomorrow at practice with more focus, more energy. We know where we want to be at the end of the season, but we’re not just going to get there.”

Reese and Clark: More Than Just Social Media Rivalry

The rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has become one of the most compelling storylines in women’s basketball, both on and off the court. While their social media presence highlights the influence and appeal of both players, it’s their on-court performances that continue to define their legacies. Reese’s edge in followers only adds to the intrigue, with fans watching closely to see if she can use her influence to elevate the Fever and solidify her place as one of the league’s top players.

For Clark, the challenge will be bouncing back from her injury and leading the Fever to success when she returns. Meanwhile, Reese’s performance in the absence of Clark will be a crucial factor in determining whether the Fever can continue to stay competitive without their star.

Conclusion: A New Era of Social Media Dominance in the WNBA

As the rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark continues to develop, it’s clear that both players are shaping the future of women’s basketball—not just through their performances on the court, but through their massive social media followings. Reese’s edge in this area shows that her influence goes beyond basketball, and her ability to connect with fans will only continue to grow.

For now, both players are facing their own challenges, with Reese trying to lead the Fever through Clark’s absence and Clark herself battling through an injury. Whether on the court or in the digital space, their competition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting storylines in the WNBA for years to come. Fans will continue to watch, not only for the games but to see how these two superstars evolve and compete for dominance both on and off the court.