Rivalries in sports often create unforgettable moments, and the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese matchup is no exception.
From high school gyms to the NCAA stage and now the WNBA, their intense competition has become a defining story in women’s basketball. Fans eagerly anticipate their next showdown, which promises to add more fuel to their rivalry and continue the growing popularity of the league.
In the 2025 WNBA season, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky will meet five times, offering another exciting chapter in this ongoing rivalry.
The League Leverages the Rivalry
The Chicago Sky will be the only team the Indiana Fever faces five times in the 2025 season, and it’s no surprise why—Clark and Reese’s rivalry runs deep. The viewership numbers from their 2024 matchups were remarkable, including June’s game that garnered 2.25 million viewers on CBS, making it the most-watched WNBA game on any network in 23 years.
Heading into the 2025 season, both players have a point to prove. Last year, Clark’s Fever came out on top, winning three of their four matchups against Reese’s Sky. However, Reese remains determined to use every game to silence critics and continue to push for the growth of women’s basketball.
The Five Key Showdowns to Watch:
- May 17 (Indianapolis)
- June 7 (Chicago)
- July 26 (Chicago)
- August 9 (Indianapolis)
- September 5 (Indianapolis)
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s competitive journey began in eighth grade, when they first faced off in AAU tournaments. Over time, they became synonymous with elite-level women’s basketball, excelling in high school and dominating in college. Reese’s LSU Tigers famously defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Championship, a game highlighted by Reese’s iconic “you can’t see me” celebration in the final moments.
Their paths diverged during the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever, while Reese joined the Chicago Sky as the No. 7 pick. Clark went on to win the Rookie of the Year award after an outstanding season, while Reese quickly established herself as a dominant presence on the court and a vocal advocate for women’s basketball.
Reese reflected on their long-standing rivalry during a Complex Conversations event, emphasizing the longevity of their competitive relationship. “I’ve been playing against Caitlin since we were probably in eighth or ninth grade,” Reese shared. “We were both really competitive. I went to Maryland [before transferring to LSU], she went to Iowa and we competed there. People don’t know the legacy of us being able to play against each other for a really long time.”
Rivalry and Respect: The Clark vs. Reese Dynamics
Despite the intensity of their rivalry, there is mutual respect between the two players. “I don’t have any hard feelings toward her; she doesn’t have any hard feelings toward me,” Reese explained. “But yeah, it gets crazy sometimes.”
The Sky’s #5 was referring to the way their rivalry is amplified by social media, where fans and commentators scrutinize every play, quote, and celebration. While this attention has helped raise the profile of the WNBA, Reese acknowledges the more challenging aspects of being in the spotlight.
“Obviously social media is going to put two women against each other,” Reese said. “I think it’s been something that’s negative, but also positive. It shines light on women’s basketball, so I’ll take that—being the person that gets the hate. At the end of the day, I know I’m growing women’s basketball and helping women’s basketball.”
Each game between the two will not only showcase their individual brilliance but also influence their teams’ success in a highly competitive WNBA season.
The Clark-Reese rivalry goes beyond basketball. It represents competition, growth, and the increasing focus on women’s sports. As Reese put it, “I know at the end of the day I’m growing women’s basketball and helping women’s basketball.” Clark, known for her electrifying play and leadership, shares that same dedication to elevating the game.
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