Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Clash in Fever’s WNBA Season-Opening Rout

The 2025 WNBA season tipped off with a bang as Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark delivered a triple-double—20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists—in a commanding 93-58 rout of the Chicago Sky. But the real buzz came from a heated moment between Clark and her longtime rival, Angel Reese, after a controversial flagrant foul.

Mid-game, Clark fouled Reese hard to stop an easy layup, sparking a fiery exchange. Reese, visibly upset, confronted Clark, who coolly walked away as teammates intervened. The referee upgraded Clark’s foul to a flagrant 1, citing unnecessary contact, while Reese and Fever’s Aliyah Boston received offsetting technicals for verbal and physical taunts.

Post-game, both stars downplayed the drama. “It’s just basketball,” Clark said, shrugging off the call. “I wasn’t trying to be malicious.” Reese echoed, calling it a “basketball play”, though her 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting paled next to her 17 rebounds. The sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd roared as Reese missed a free throw after the foul, adding fuel to this storied rivalry.

This clash is another chapter in the Clark-Reese saga, dating back to their college days. The Fever-Sky matchup has become must-watch hoops, with last season’s games marked by hard fouls and national debates. Fever coach Stephanie White, celebrating her first win, backed Clark: “We’re a tough defensive team. It was a clean play.”

The intensity underscores why these two stars captivate fans, blending skill, grit, and a touch of bad blood.