Caitlin Clark got the better of Angel Reese in their highly anticipated rookie showdown.
The pair shared memorable battles at the collegiate level when LSU and Iowa met twice in the postseason before entering competition. Saturday afternoon, 82,857 fans packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana to watch them play against each other for the first time as professionals.
At the end of the 40 minutes, Clark and the Fever secured a 71-70 victory in thrilling fashion, earning their second win of the season and their first at home.
Clark scored 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists to help the Fever.
On the other hand, Reese clocked eight points and thirteen rebounds in Chicago’s losing effort.
Caitlin Clark got the better of Angel Reese in their first WNBA showdown on Saturday
The Chicago Sky lost 71-70 to the Indiana Fever at Gainbirdge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
The match was fiercely contested as both teams played thorns at each other’s sides throughout regulation. The Fever led for most of the final period, while the Sky stayed within five points of the hosts.
Just when Indiana seemed to have the lead to cruise to victory, the Windy City team began to climb back up in the final two minutes.
The Sky’s Dana Evans cut the lead to two from the free throw line with 45 seconds left. Seconds later, Reese nailed an offensive rebound to give her team a chance to counter for a tie or win.
Trying to secure a loose ball, Indiana’s NaLyssa Smith dove in and ultimately took out Marina Mabrey’s legs. Unfortunately, Mabrey missed her first free throw and Indiana dribbled away the clock.
All of Indiana’s starters had double figures, with Kelsey Mitchell and Smith scoring 18 and 17, respectively. Aliyah Boston and Kristy Wallace each scored ten. Smith was also one rebound shy of a double-double.
Reese scored eight points and thirteen rebounds in Chicago’s losing effort
Clark scored 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists to help the Fever to their second win
No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso made her WNBA debut, scoring 11 points and six boards
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana in scoring with 18 points, she also had two rebounds and assists
While Mabrey led the starters in points with 15 and nine rebounds, most of Chicago’s scoring came from Chennedy Carter, who scored 19 off the bench.
Additionally, rookie and South Carolina product Kamilla Cardoso impressed in her WNBA debut. The third overall pick put up 11 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes on the floor.
Reese entered Saturday’s game averaging 11 points, 8.2 rebounds and two assists so far in the W. The former Tiger’s strengths in college seemingly translated well to the pros, as they have all the rookies in boards leads.
She has played and started in all seven of Chicago’s games as they now have a 3-4 record this season.
On the other hand, Clark has averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game since arriving in the league. Unfortunately, the Fever struggled, winning just one of their nine games before Saturday.
Clark and Reese had an entertaining rivalry while playing for Iowa and LSU in the NCAA
LSU beat Iowa in the 2023 title game, and Iowa got revenge in the Elite 8 in April
In 2023, Reese and the Tigers defeated Clark and the Hawkeyes in the NCAA Championship game, 102-85. Reese clocked a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds on his way to a championship.
Clark got his revenge in April when Iowa eliminated LSU in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Reese’s 17-point, 20-rebound performance was quickly erased by Clark’s 41 points and 12 assists in the 94-87 win.
Iowa would appear in another title game, but lost to Dawn Staley’s team of South Carolina.
Nevertheless, Clark was selected by the Fever as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft. Reese was picked seventh overall by Chicago.