CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the first half against the Chicago Sky on April 29, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 29 Preseason Atlanta Dreamagainst the Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260429012
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the first half against the Chicago Sky on April 29, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 29 Preseason Atlanta Dreamagainst the Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260429012
While Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese got a nod from the WNBA with a recent accolade, fans pretty much filled the X comment section with yays and nays.
“Back-to-back for Angel,” the league’s official X post read on September 1, 2026. “Angel Reese earns Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the second straight week, the first back-to-back POTW honors of her career!”
Her stat line behind this honor was 14.0 PPG, 17.7 RPG, and 3.7 AST this week. Undeniably, she has been an incredible force in pushing the Dream into the No. 4 playoff seed, averaging 16.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Image Credits: Imago
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Image Credits: Imago
However, what brought forth the criticism was the Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark’s stellar season. Fans compared their stat lines for the season and the weeks to have an elaborate discussion in the comments.
The accolade sparked fan debate on social media
Clark is averaging 22.5 points (third in the league), 8.4 assists (first in the league) and 3.9 rebounds this season. Moreover, she recorded 34 points and 12 assists against the Connecticut Sun on August 28 and 37 points and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Sky on August 24.
This prompted fans to state that Clark was more deserving of the POTW recognition.
“Caitlin Clark had these two games during the same week: 37 PTS, 10 AST, and 8 three-pointers; 34 PTS, 12 AST, and 6 three-pointers. And somehow this wasn't player of the week worthy?” wrote a fan. Another said, “Back-to-back 30+ pt/10+ assists and not POW. That's chef's kiss. Congrats WNBA.”
The Reese-Clark rivalry, rooted in their NCAA matchups, has intensified in the WNBA. But it doesn’t need special phrasing to describe how Clark has revolutionized the league with record audiences, ticket sales and the popularity of women’s basketball.
Fans stated how WNBA is losing momentum by not giving her the spotlight she deserves.
“WNBA is going to lose all momentum they’ve gained by not celebrating all talent,” wrote a fan. Another agreed, “The WNBA is a poorly run league with no hope in sight. I have made the decision to tune the WNBA out. It’s not worth my time.”
However, not only has Reese improved in offensive rebounding this season (5.1 compared to last season’s 4.1), but she has also hit a WNBA single-season double-double record this week. So, some fans genuinely celebrated her.
“Have you not taken into consideration that her GREAT DEFENSE helped give her back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors besides her breaking Rebounding & Double Double records?” wrote a fan.
Another added, “Everyone was expecting her to win this week. She broke the record for most double-doubles in a season ever.”
Despite the debate, both players’ contributions to their teams go beyond a POTW nod. But who do you think deserved it more? Let us know in the comments.
Follow Her Sports Nation for more.
Written by
Deblina Roy