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Deutschland: Basketball, FIBA Womens World Cup, USA vs. China am 04.09.2026 in Berlin Max-Schmeling-Halle: Caitlin Clark USA, 12 Angel Reese USA, 15 *** German Basketball, FIBA Womens World Cup, USA vs. China on September 4, 2026, in Berlin at the Max Schmeling Halle: Caitlin Clark USA, 12 Angel Reese USA, 15 Copyright: xSvenxHeidmannx

Angel Reese reveals how her heated rivalry with Caitlin Clark helps build on-court chemistry as teammates

As Team USA marched towards the semifinals after handing Hungary a blowout 108-56 defeat, Angel Reese shared what keeps things going between her and Caitlin Clark on the court.

“We've played against each other so many times,” Reese told the reporters postgame, per an X clip posted by Underdog WNBA on September 10, 2026. “So, I'm sure we know each other's game, like the back of each other's hand. (I was) just easily dishing it off to her; she dishes it off to me.”

Amid Clark’s 10-point, 9-assist and Reese’s 9-point, 6-rebound game, their passes to each other stood out the most. The W League’s rebounding leader (12.4), Reese, had 3 assists, and most of those Clark turned into buckets.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Image Credits: Imago

From the AAU circuit to their respective times at Iowa and LSU, Clark and Reese’s competitive fuel has kept even the W hardwood warm. And this years-long rivalry has played a role in their on-court chemistry in Berlin as well, something they'll need for the longer run.

“She knows my slides. So I kind of got one to her today, or maybe two,” Reese added to the same X clip. “So, it's fun. We just continue to build chemistry because we know we're going to be USA teammates for a while.”

And Clark is on the same page as Reese regarding this.

Caitlin Clark backed up Angel Reese’s claims

Both WNBA stars had a physical exchange during a mid-August matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream. But none of it ever led to bad blood. If anything, the Fever guard lives for this competition and clash with the Dream forward.

“We’re both fiery competitors. And we want to win,” Clark said of Reese, per an article written by Athlon Sports’ Rodney Knuppel. “It’s one of the things I really admire about her game ... She has one of the best motors in the league ... So it’s been fun to be able to play with her.”

What demands attention and draws a massive audience in the W is winning the games in Berlin. The semifinals on September 12 will determine what more Reese and Clark have to show.

Written by

Deblina Roy