Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark clashed again during the Indiana Fever’s loss to the Atlanta Dream in Atlanta, extending a rivalry marked by on-court friction that’s flared in multiple games over the past three days.
It took less than a minute for the Dream-Fever game in Atlanta to turn personal.
During the first quarter on Saturday. Caitlin Clark brought the ball up the floor and was fouled near the top of the key by the Dream’s Jordin Canada. The moment the sequence stalled, Angel Reese swung at the ball in Clark’s hands. Clark took exception. waved Reese off. and the exchange played out in real time—coming about a minute after Clark hit a 3-pointer that landed right in Reese’s face.
This wasn’t a one-off flare. Reese was already talking—visibly and aggressively—earlier in the week when the Dream played Indiana on Thursday. In that matchup, Reese was caught mocking Clark by flailing around during a stoppage in play.
The matchup in Atlanta ended with the Fever on the losing side. After an abysmal third quarter in which they were outscored 28-15, Indiana watched Atlanta pull away and win 113-96. Clark finished with a game-high 26 points but also committed seven turnovers. Reese scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
The tension is now threading through more than one game and more than one meeting. The Dream and Fever played Indiana on Thursday, and now, with this Saturday matchup in Atlanta, it’s the second time Reese and Clark have exchanged words in the span of three days.
Last season, the rivalry reached a flashpoint when Reese—while playing for the Chicago Sky—lost her composure after she was fouled by Clark. Multiple teammates had to hold her back as she screamed and yelled at Clark, who walked away.
The history stretches further than the current series. From the moment Reese taunted Clark excessively in the National Championship game in 2023. it has been clear the emotions between them don’t stay on the scoreboard. After Saturday’s exchange, the only thing certain was how quickly the game could boil over—again.
Angel Reese Caitlin Clark Fever Dream Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever rivalry Jordin Canada WNBA 113-96 game-high 26 points