Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been at the center of one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s basketball since their unforgettable meeting in the 2023 NCAA Championship. That night, Reese’s LSU team upset Clark’s Iowa, and a now-iconic gesture from Reese to Clark sparked a friendly but fierce competition. Since then, Clark’s career has skyrocketed, returning to the NCAA title game in 2024, only to fall short again, this time to South Carolina and Kamilla Cardoso, now Reese’s teammate on the Chicago Sky.
In her rookie WNBA season, Clark earned Rookie of the Year honors and led the Indiana Fever to their first playoff berth since 2016 and their highest win total since 2015. Reese, meanwhile, dazzled with 13.6 points and a league-record 13.1 rebounds per game, but her season was cut short by injury and the Sky missed the postseason. Now, as the 2025 WNBA season approaches, their paths will cross again in a highly anticipated season opener.
Clark’s Message: Fever Ready to Ignite
The Fever’s May 17 season opener against the Sky is already the talk of the town, with tickets selling out for only the third time in franchise history. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Clark delivered a fiery message about her team’s mindset. “We’re playing basketball the right way,” she declared. “We’re building a championship team, and we’re excited about the pieces we’ve added.”
Her words reflect a team eager to prove itself after last year’s first-round playoff exit. With Reese, Cardoso and rookie Hailey Van Lith on the roster for Chicago, the matchup promises to be a clash of rising stars and seasoned talent. Clark’s confidence is a clear signal to the Sky – and the league – that the Fever are coming in hot.
A Season of High Stakes and Heavy Hitters
The 2025 WNBA season is shaping up to be a battle royale for the title. The defending champion New York Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, are looking to make their third straight Finals appearance. The Minnesota Lynx, last year’s runner-up, return Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier as a cornerstone. A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces remain a threat even after losing Kelsey Plum, who joined Cameron Brink and Dearica Hamby on the Los Angeles Sparks in an attempt to snap a four-year playoff drought.
The Fever, with Clark entering her second year, the retooled Sky, and the Dallas Wings – now boasting first-round picks Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale – are all poised to shake things up. This season promises to elevate the league in every way: on the court, in the stands, and on the record books.
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