The storyline of a supposed “rivalry” between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has been going on ever since their collegiate days. It's been one of the most talked about topics in women's basketball recently, and a new chapter looks to have unfolded on Sunday. During the Chicago Sky's loss to the Indiana Fever, Reese committed a flagrant foul on Clark toward the end of the third quarter. This drew a storm of reactions online, one of which came from former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner, Matt Leinart.
“Angel Reese should be suspended. Period. Not good for the game,” Leinart posted on X.
It all happened during a layup attempt by Clark. Catching a pass at the top of the key, she used a screen by Katie Lou Samuelson to attack the rim. Reese, who was Samuelson's defender, decided to help out on the drive and attempt a block on Clark. However, Reese's arm hit Clark on the head, resulting in the latter falling to the floor.
Knowing how Clark has a big following, there was plenty of ire directed at Reese following the incident. Along with Leinart, many social media users voiced their anger at what happened, claiming that the Sky rookie committed the foul on purpose.
Besides the “rivalry” storyline, the incident also added more fuel to the narrative of Caitlin Clark being targeted by players out of presumed jealousy. In the past month, Clark has been on the receiving end of multiple hard hits. One of these incidents even involved Sky guard Chennedy Carter, who struck Clark with a hard shoulder check during the Sky's previous clash with the Fever.
Angel Reese isn't affected by the backlash
Despite the animosity and backlash from the Fever fandom, Angel Reese doesn't seem to be fazed. In fact, the forward even gave postgame comments that might've just added more spice to the whole thing.
“I think we were playing really hard,” Reese said, per ClutchPoints' Fabian Diego Miguel de la Paz. “I think we went out really strong a lot of times, and we didn’t get a lot of calls and…looking at the film, I've seen a lot of calls that weren't made. I guess some people got a special whistle.”
And she isn't just the only one standing their ground; the Sky fans have their players' backs as well. Going back to Matt Leinart's tweet, many of the replies were not exactly in agreement with his statement.
“By rule that was a flagrant 1, but it was a basketball play,” one user said. “Reese went for where she thought the ball would be. She simply didn't anticipate the underhand shot.”
“Suspended for an unintentional flagrant foul?” another chimed in, while adding the famous GIF of Kobe Bryant mouthing the word “soft.”
“Naw, they need to suspend your account on here for this egregious take,” claimed another user.
Looking at their last two games, it's definitely clear that hard-nosed, physical basketball is bound to happen whenever the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever take the court. Pin it on competitiveness or call it jealousy toward Caitlin Clark — whatever one's opinion is, the WNBA is gaining plenty of attention like never before.
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