Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been two of the most talked-about figures in women’s basketball since Clark entered the WNBA in 2024. Fans have grown accustomed to the excitement, and tension, whenever the Indiana Fever star and Chicago Sky forward share the court.
Their rivalry has been a mix of elite athletic competition and personal clashes, and it recently resurfaced during Team USA action, attracting widespread attention.
The tension between Clark and Reese has simmered for more than a year. In the WNBA, their matchups quickly became must-watch games. Both players are among the league’s brightest stars, and their competitive spirits often collide.
That intensity boiled over in May 2025, when a heated on-court confrontation saw Clark push Reese to the floor. The incident quickly dominated headlines, showing the high-stakes nature of their rivalry and leaving a lasting impression on fans.
Now, less than a year later, the two former opponents are teammates on the international stage, representing the United States in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. Team USA has started strong, securing victories in its first two games. However, observers have noticed that the Clark-Reese rivalry may not be entirely behind them, even as teammates.
Viral moment in Team USA locker room raises eyebrows
During Team USA’s game against Puerto Rico, a brief interaction between Clark and Reese captured on camera went viral and sparked conversation online. When Clark entered the game, she greeted several teammates with handshakes and fist bumps.
Reese, standing nearby, extended her hand for a greeting, but Clark appeared to ignore her, turning away instead. Whether this was an intentional snub or simply an accidental oversight in the flow of the game remains unclear.
Fans on social media quickly dissected the moment, debating the dynamics between the two players. Some viewed it as a lingering tension from past WNBA battles, while others suggested it could have been a simple oversight during the fast-paced game.
Adding commentary to the discussion, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a well-known advocate for Clark, weighed in on X. He remarked that he doubted Clark had noticed Reese but expressed hope that she had.
Portnoy has consistently supported Clark since her arrival in the WNBA, often defending her from perceived slights by the league and calling her one of its biggest stars. At one point, he even suggested that Clark‘s popularity could support an entirely new league, emphasizing her immense influence and talent.
As Clark and Reese continue their careers, now not only as rivals but also as teammates on the international stage, fans will be closely watching how their dynamic evolves.
Whether their relationship softens or continues to flare under the spotlight, one thing is clear: the combination of these two talents guarantees that the drama will remain captivating for years to come.
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