The dates for the 30th WNBA season have been confirmed. The official schedule has been released, and fans are talking about one thing: the opening day game between the Indiana Fever and the Dallas Wings.
The matchup on Saturday, May 9, will feature Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, the league’s last two Rookies of the Year and college rivals. Given Paige’s popularity last year, this comes as no surprise, but Angel Reese‘s absence did catch people’s attention, and fans didn’t let it slide.
Fans mock Reese
Bueckers‘ rookie season was, to say the least, outstanding. She broke a slew of records, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 36 games with the Wings and made a name for herself at the top of the league.
Meanwhile, CC‘s second season did not turn out as she had hoped. She averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.6 steals in the only 13 games she was able to play due to injuries to her quadriceps, ankle, and groin.
This meant that Clark and Bueckers only faced each other once, on July 13 in a game that ended in a 102-83 victory for the Fever. Caitlin scored 14 points, 13 assists, and five steals, while Paige finished with 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
However, following the announcement of a new matchup between Paige and CC, fans were excited about Clark’s return to the court and this promising matchup, but they also highlighted Bueckers’ selection over Angel Reese.
The sporting rivalry between Sky’s star player and Caitlin kept WNBA fans on the edge of their seats during their time at LSU and Iowa respectively, but now everything seems to have changed. Or so the fans believe:
“We had enough of that fake rivalry,” said one of them.
“These two are definitely the biggest draw now, Angel just a side character,” commented another.
“Thank god man the sky and angel Reese can’t live up to the hype,” reacted a third fan.
“Thank God it’s not the sky!” mentioned one user.
“Paige vs. Caitlin Clark!!! We’re done with that other fake rivalry!! You can’t have a rivalry when the other player isn’t on the first or second team,” wrote another.
Meanwhile, the season and even the team rosters remain shrouded in uncertainty. Although the schedule has already been officially released, the players and the league have yet to reach an agreement on the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The league is offering a model that, after accounting for expenses such as medical care, travel, and facilities, would pay players more than 70% of net revenue. However, the players are pushing for approximately 30% of gross revenue along with a much higher team salary cap.
Meanwhile, the Fever are expected to host the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 9, to kick off a new WNBA season.
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