Caitlin Clark Shines in WNBA Preseason, Rivalry Fans Anticipate

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — The WNBA season is back, and so is Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever star guard performed impressively in a preseason game against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday night, scoring 13 points in 23 minutes.

Clark’s standout moment came from a step-back three-pointer that left fans amazed. If she can continue making shots like that consistently, she will be incredibly difficult to defend.

Looking ahead, fans are eager for the highly anticipated matchup between Clark and fellow star Angel Reese as the regular season starts in May. Their rivalry, which has garnered significant media attention, began during the 2023 NCAA Championship game.

Clark recently addressed the ongoing speculation about her relationship with Reese, emphasizing that while they are not close friends, they have mutual respect. “I don’t get that at all,” she said. “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another.”

The intense rivalry has been fueled by their respective teams, with multiple confrontations and media mentions between the two players since they entered the league in 2024. Clark’s comments about the rivalry suggested it has been exaggerated, stating, “The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up.”

Reese has also spoken about the rivalry. During a media day ahead of the new WNBA season, when asked about Clark, she dismissively replied, “Next question.” In September 2024, she claimed the feud was staged and expressed indifference towards Clark.

Despite attempts to downplay the rivalry, tensions flared recently when Reese’s mother criticized Clark on social media after an event celebrating the Iowa player’s return to her home state.

The building rivalry, highlighted by Reese’s social media posts, reflects the competitive spirit in women’s basketball and the ongoing narrative of female athletes in the spotlight.