The WNBA has long propagated the narrative that there is intense rivalry and bad blood between Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese. But Clark wasn’t having any of it this time.

According to an X post by Hoop Central, while speaking to the media after defeating France in the Finals and winning the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, Clark was asked if she was now friends with Reese. 

In response, Clark bluntly asked the reporter to stop contributing to the notion that they weren’t friends before playing on the US national team together.

“We’ve always been friends. Don’t try to do that,” Clark stated, pointing to the reporter who asked the question, per the September 14 Hoop Central X post.

In fact, after answering another question, Clark returned, looking the reporter in the eye and shaking her head disapprovingly as she walked away.

The narrative regarding Clark and Reese’s WNBA rivalry found its origins in their collegiate careers. During the 2023 NCAA national championship games, Reese, then playing for LSU, faced off against Clark, who played for the University of Iowa.

Towards the end of the intense game, which the LSU Tigers won, Reese had taunted Clark with John Cena’s signature “You can’t see me” gesture. Once the two players entered the WNBA, the stories of how bitter their rivalry was snowballed. 

Every gesture or smile was interpreted as another instance of the two taunting each other, bolstering drama. Clark is not the only one speaking out against this narrative either.

Angel Reese speaks out about her chemistry with Team USA teammate Caitlin Clark

Per an X post uploaded by Underdog WNBA on September 10, Angel Reese also spoke on the issue after their quarterfinals game against Hungary. She commented on their chemistry and how well they know each other.

"It's fun," Reese said, per Underdog WNBA. "We just continue to build chemistry because we know we're going to be USA teammates for a while." 

While Reese’s comments were less direct than Clark, they still revealed that the Dream forward appreciated their connection on the court.

"I mean, we've played against each other so many times. I'm sure we know each other's game like the back of each other's hand," Reese added. "I dish it off to her; she dishes it off to me. She knows my spots. I kinda got one to her today, or maybe two." 

Reese’s take suggested that she knew Clark’s game well and had confidence in the same understanding from Clark’s end as well. 

Written by

Arundhoti Palit