Caitlin Clark left the NCAA as a superstar and brought her national audience with her into the WNBA when she was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in April.
The same can be said for Angel Reese, who was drafted No. 7 overall by the Chicago Sky.
Reese and Clark faced off against one another at the NCAA level, as the LSU Tigers took on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Tournament Championship, and the Tigers came away victorious.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 16: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky look on during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana…. EMILEE CHINN/GETTY IMAGES
Clark and the Hawkeyes would get their revenge in 2023, as the team took out Reese and the Tigers en route to an appearance in the Elite 8. The “rivalry” between the pair appeared to be alive and well. (For the record, Reese stated in March, “We don’t hate each other.”)
Some have called that sentiment into question recently as Reese has made several comments taking subtle jabs at Clark.
Clark and Reese’s stardom is undeniable and their rivalry is even bigger, as the pair faced off once again at the WNBA level on Sunday, drawing in record-breaking numbers.
This weekend's Fever-Sky game with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese averaged 2.25 million viewers on CBS.
That makes it the most-watched WNBA game on any network in 23 years.
Incredible 📈 pic.twitter.com/2LIdrEywqL
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 18, 2024
Sports analyst Joe Pompliano revealed that the Fever vs. Sky game drew 2.25 million viewers on CBS, making it the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years.
Everyone is tuning in to see these two face off against one another, and the games have been full of headline-making moments.
During the most recent game on Sunday, Reese was going after the ball and struck Clark in the head. She was given a Flagrant 1 foul for the contact and called out officiating after the loss.
Reese claimed certain players were given a “special whistle” and calls against her team were not made.
This isn’t the first time a flagrant foul was doled out during a Fever-Sky game. The first time both teams faced off against one another on June 1, guard Chennedy Carter shoulder-checked Clark, sending her to the court in a moment that also went viral.
Carter was given a Flagrant 1 foul and sounded off on social media, calling out Clark’s skills.
Reese did not make herself available to the media after this loss, resulting in a fine to her and the Sky for her not adhering to league rules.
Reese wants it known that she’s a big reason people are tuning into WNBA games — not just Clark.
Despite Reese stating during college that she and Clark don’t hate one another, their rivalry has become one of the biggest storylines in all of sports — not just the WNBA.
