WNBA analyst Jaime Lardis finds basketball at its best in the rivalry between WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard. Fierce rivals on the court, friends off it, Clark and Howard are the epitome of the ideal rivalry. 

Just a couple of days after Clark and Howard clinched the World Cup title on their debut, Lardis points out what makes their WNBA clashes special. 

“Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard have one of the most competitive, fiery matchups in the WNBA. But once the game is over, or they’re teammates, they’re great friends.”

The highly rated guards step up big-time for their teams every time they clash. Clark leads the head-to-head 7 to 3. 

In May last year, Clark and Howard got involved in a heated clash on the court. The Fever guard shoved her shoulder into Howard's body and was heard saying, "I'm not scared of you” to Howard. 

However, the pair have kept things professional off the court. They have never had heated encounters or attacked each other verbally outside of a game.

Lardis points out that their physical plays are standard competitive behavior and not real animosity.

“That’s basketball at its best: compete like crazy, then leave it all on the court,” Lardis added on her X post.

Their fierce and competitive nature creates intense battles in the WNBA. However, for their nation, it reaps rewards.

The pair combined really well at the World Cup, although they weren't starters.

Clark revealed the truth behind positive rivalries.

Clark on rivalries: Let them happen naturally

Caitlin Clark has responded clearly to the rivalry claims. To the Fever guard, rivalries aren’t really a thing to be viewed negatively.

"There's always going to be rivals, and I think that's a really positive thing. I think the best thing you can do is let it occur naturally…The media wants to, like, create something that's probably not 110% real…” Clark said earlier.

Rivalry between the WNBA stars was a major talking point throughout the entire World Cup run. However, just like Clark, other members of Team USA made sure to keep that aside in the best interests of the national team. 

Clark was also left frustrated when OutKick reporter Jackson Thompson asked her about the friendship with WNBA rival Angel Reese. 

"We've always been friends," Clark said, per USA Today's Meghan L. Hall. "Don't try to do that. Don't try to do that."

Clark's statement aligns with what Lardis pointed out. The WNBA stars handled the rivalry professionally to clinch the USA's fifth straight WC title.

Written by

Avishek Sarkar