Angel Reese claims bragging rights over Caitlin Clark as Chicago Sky DEFEATS Indiana Fever for the first time this season in dramatic encounter
A record-breaking performance for Angel Reese left her with bragging rights over Caitlin Clark as the Chicago Sky came back to beat the Indiana Fever 88-87 on Sunday.
Their third meeting comes after Indiana defeated Chicago 91-83 on June 16. Before that, the Fever defeated the Sky 71-70 on June 1 in the first WNBA meeting between the college rivals.
While both rookies had spectacular games in Chicago, the night belonged to Reese, who became the first WNBA rookie to have a 25-plus point, 15-plus rebound double-double since A’Ja Wilson.
On the other hand, Clark also posted a double-double with 17 points and a franchise-high 13 assists with six rebounds.
The former LSU star scored 25 points and collected 16 rebounds to lead her team to victory. Additionally, Reese recorded her eighth consecutive double-double, contributing to the win.
Angel Reese led the Chicago Sky in a comeback victory over Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever
Clark was 2-0 against Reese and the Sky entering Sunday’s game in Chicago
“I’m a dog, and you can’t teach that,” Reese said after the win. “I’m going to do everything I can to win every night.”
After a closely contested first half, Chicago fell by as many as 15 points in the third quarter. However, Reese led the Fever’s come-from-behind effort with ten points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter.
“I’m trying to give myself some grace. I’m very hard on myself,” Reese continued. “I mean, I’m glad we won. That’s the most important thing, but I have to get back to work, we have to get back to work, and we have to work hard next game.”
The game went south when Chicago’s defense held Indiana to two points in the final minutes. But a three-pointer by Aliyah Boston brought the Fever within one point with less than 20 seconds left in regulation.
Reese is the first rookie to have a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds since A’Ja Wilson
Clark recorded a franchise-high 17 points and 13 assists with six rebounds in their losing effort
After a struggle on the other side of the field, Chicago’s Marina Mabrey went to the line, but missed both chances to put the nail in the coffin.
Nevertheless, Chicago’s defense, and especially Kamilla Cardoso’s rebounding, became their saving grace as they maintained the narrow lead until the final buzzer.
While Cardoso posted a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds, the victory became sweeter for Sky guard Chennedy Carter after he scored 22 points in 29 minutes.
Carter went viral for her infamous body check on Clark during their first meeting. Over the next few weeks, Reese and Carter embraced the antagonistic role given to them by their interactions with Clark.
Reese scored 25 points and collected 16 rebounds in her eighth consecutive double-double
Clark and the Fever are now 7-11 this season while the Sky edged ahead of them for the eighth seed
Chennedy Carter helped Chicago win with 22 points in 29 minutes of play
“Me and Chennedy, we have a different kind of relationship,” Reese said. ‘We’ve been through a lot of the same things. Many people have misconceptions about us. We understand each other, that’s why I love her.’
“She can come to me, I can come to her,” she continued. ‘She’s a dog too. She came out tonight and did so much for us. This is a team effort and I am so happy for this team.
After meeting in college while playing for Iowa and LSU, the rivalry story followed Clark and Reese to the pros. After several verbal and social media jabs, the noise increased when Clark found himself on the receiving end of a flagrant 1 from Reese after he punched her in the face during a layup.
When asked about their “budding rivalry” and getting her first win over Clark, Reese said, “It’s just a match, I’m happy.”
“I mean, they still have us. They got one for us, so I’m just happy for the team, and I want to make it about us. Chicago, they came out tonight, so I’m just happy for us.”
After moving to a 6-9 record, Chicago overtook Indiana (7-11) for the final playoff spot as the eighth seed.
Unless they’re on a collision course in the postseason, the rookie chapter of Clark and Reese concluded today in one of the best-selling games in WNBA history.