.jpg)
3 hours ago
1
The WNBA season kicked off on Saturday with the Chicago Sky facing the Indiana Fever, bringing together former college stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese for another showdown. The two have developed a rivalry, particularly after meeting in back-to-back postseasons during their college careers.
A season opener is always a special event, especially when the league pits two young stars against each other. At this point in their careers, anything less than a rivalry akin to LeBron James and Stephen Curry is unexpected from Clark and Reese. Saturday’s game added even more drama when Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese. During a media timeout, Clark responded to the situation.
“It’s just a good take foul. Either Angel gets wide open for 2 points, or we send them to the free throw line. Nothing malicious about it… Every basketball player knows that,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
On the same play, Reese and Aliyah Boston were both given technical fouls. Clark later announced that she would cover Boston’s fine. After the game, Reese gave a brief statement to address the situation.
“Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,” Reese said.
Whether that’s exactly what she wanted to say or not, that’s the response she went with. However, Fox Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III believes Reese genuinely dislikes Clark.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“After watching Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin Clark. I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate,” Griffin said.
Reese did appear to be ready to confront Clark. While it was certainly a frustrating moment, it wasn’t as dirty as it might have seemed; Clark was simply trying to prevent an easy basket. Griffin is the first to publicly state that Reese harbors genuine animosity toward Clark.
English (US)