As the 2025 WNBA season draws near, Caitlin Clark is not only preparing to build upon her impressive rookie year, but also appears to have one opponent squarely on her mind: Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.
The Indiana Fever guard, coming off a season where she averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game, enters her sophomore campaign with heightened expectations as she targets a maiden title.
But there is one old nemesis standing in her way in the form of Reese, who she has enjoyed a rivalry with since they were competing for the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers respectively.
The Fever will open their season Saturday at home against the Sky, marking the first of five regular season meetings between the two teams this year in the Eastern Conference.
A long rivalry between Reese and Clark
Whilst the Chi Barbie got the first laugh when she won the 2023 NCAA National Championship with the LSU, Clark has since taken over on the professional scene.
In 2024, Indiana won three of the four matchups between the clubs and the 23-year-old Fever star is keen to keep that momentum going; aware of how often she faces her foe from the Windy City.
In a preseason feature for Sports Illustrated, reporter Emma Baccellieri chronicled a team trivia game involving Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and veteran DeWanna Bonner.
One of the questions asked was which team the Fever face most frequently during the upcoming 2025 campaign. The answer, unsurprisingly, was the Chicago Sky.
“That’s easy,” Clark quipped before revealing her correct answer, indicating she’s fully focused on the season ahead and ensuring she hands Reese as many losses as possible.
Whether or not she studied the schedule in advance is unclear, but her quick reaction strongly suggests those games against Chicago, and by extension, Reese, have not escaped her attention.
Considering their collegiate history and anticipation ahead of their 1024 debut campaigns, both players have continued to draw massive attention.
The two even finished first and second in last year’s Rookie of the Year race, with Clark sweeping to victory.
Sky’s 23-year-old forward has downplayed any animosity, stating there is “no hate,” between them but fans and broadcasters continue to highlight their matchups, hence the high level of interest.
When do the Fever play the Sky?
Saturday May 17’s season opener tips off at 15:00 ET/12:00 PT at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the heart of Indianapolis, also home to the NBA’s Pacers team – currently in the Eastern Conference finals.
The game is live on ABC and will see Clark bid to keep the positive basketball mood in the city and wider state going and tickets are still available at prices ranging from $76.05 to $409.50.
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