The Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky squared off Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to kick off the WNBA’s 2025 opening weekend, but the game’s final score wasn’t the only thing drawing attention.
Midway through the third quarter, tensions flared when Fever phenom Caitlin Clark fouled Sky forward Angel Reese to prevent her from making an easy layup.
The contact sent Reese crashing to the hardwood.
Reese quickly got to her feet and tried to confronted Clark, exchanging heated words and shouting several expletives at the former Iowa Hawkeye superstar.
Clark was assessed a flagrant foul for the contact.
Due to their well-documented history, the confrontation drew immediate reaction online.
Former Pro Bowl quarterback turned NFL analyst Robert Griffin III was one of many who weighed in on the situation.
Griffin stated that the animosity between the two players is clearly personal and nothing that should be downplayed.
“After watching Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is now way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin Clark,” Griffin said.
“I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate.”
Needless to say, Griffin’s comments ignited a wave of responses with many fans agreeing with him…
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“This Caitlin Clark snatching the ball from Angel Reese clip after 2 missed layups gonna be generational.”
“The reaction to Caitlin Clark’s “flagrant foul” is even more hilarious when you realize Angel Reese shoved somebody in the back with 2 hands to get the rebound.”
“The ONLY reason anyone is talking about WNBA is because Caitlin Clark … Angel Reese and the rest are so jealous of her they can’t see straight.”
“Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese could be one heck of a rivalry if Angel Reese was good at basketball…”
“New year….same Angel Reese.”
“Angel Reese trying to start a fight with Caitlin Clark to deflect the fact that she is getting her ass whopped.”
Despite the drama, Clark let her dominant game do the talking.
The 2024 No. 1 pick recorded a historic triple-double – 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists – becoming the first player in WNBA history to open a season with such a performance.
The Fever cruised to a decisive 93–58 victory.
With their first win secured, the Fever (1–0) will look to continue their momentum against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday.
The Sky (0–1), meanwhile, will aim for a bounce-back performance Thursday at home against the New York Liberty.
What are your thoughts on Griffin’s comments and the whole Clark-Reese rivalry as a whole???
