Caitlin Clark Shines and Sparks Controversy: Triple-Double and Flagrant Foul on Angel Reese in Explosive Season Opener

Caitlin Clark didn’t just kick off the WNBA 2025 season—she set it ablaze.

In a highly anticipated showdown between two of basketball’s most talked-about rivals, Clark led the Indiana Fever to a dominant 93-58 victory over the Chicago Sky on Saturday, recording a stunning triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and a career-high four blocks. But it wasn’t just her stat line making headlines.

Midway through the third quarter, with the Fever comfortably ahead, tensions boiled over when Clark delivered a hard foul on Angel Reese. As Reese drove to the basket after snagging an offensive rebound, Clark struck her on the arm, sending the Sky forward crashing to the floor. The moment instantly reignited the rivalry that has captivated fans since their college days.

Reese jumped to her feet, clearly furious, and appeared ready to confront Clark—only to be intercepted by Fever star Aliyah Boston. Officials reviewed the play and upgraded Clark’s foul to a flagrant 1, while both Reese and Boston received technical fouls.

After the game, Clark addressed the moment:
“Let’s not make it anything that it’s not. It was a play on the ball,” Clark said. “I wasn’t trying to be malicious. That’s not who I am.”

Fever head coach Stephanie White defended her star, calling it a tough but fair defensive move:
“Nobody’s going to get anything easy against us. That’s how we play,” said White.

Reese, on the other hand, chose not to elaborate:
“Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,” she said in a tense post-game interview, which was quickly cut short by a team spokesperson.

A Rivalry Reignited

The Clark-Reese rivalry dates back to their iconic clash in the 2023 NCAA national championship game, where Reese’s LSU team triumphed over Clark’s Iowa. The animosity only intensified during their rematch in 2024—won by Iowa in front of a record-breaking 12.3 million viewers.

While both players have publicly downplayed their feud, their fan bases remain fiercely divided. Last season, Clark won Rookie of the Year in near-unanimous fashion, with Reese receiving the only other vote.

Now in their sophomore WNBA seasons, it’s clear that Clark and Reese are not just the league’s brightest young stars—they’re its most polarizing.

With elite performances and heated exchanges, the Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese saga is far from over. And for WNBA fans, that means one thing: must-watch basketball, every time they share the court.