Caitlin Clark took the advantage over Angel Reese during 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 the league. On Saturday afternoon, 82,857 fans packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana to watch them face off for the first time as professionals.
At the end of 40 minutes, Clark and the Fever cruised to a thrilling 71-70 victory, earning their second win of the season and their first at home.
Clark had 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists to help the Fever.
On the other hand, Reese scored eight points and 13 rebounds in Chicago’s loss.
Caitlin Clark bested Angel Reese in their first WNBA matchup on Saturday.
The Chicago Sky lost to the Indiana Fever, 71-70, at Gainbirdge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
The match was very close as both teams clashed with each other throughout regulation time. The Fever led for most of the final period, while Sky remained five points behind the hosts.
Just when Indiana seemed to have the cushion to achieve victory, the Windy City team began to come back in the last two minutes.
Sky’s Dana Evans cut the lead to two from the free throw line with 45 seconds left. Seconds later, Reese secured an offensive rebound to give his team a chance to fight back to tie or win.
In an attempt to secure a loose ball, Indiana’s NaLyssa Smith dove and ended up taking Marina Mabrey’s legs off in the process. Unfortunately, Mabrey missed her first free throw and Indiana ran out of time.
All of Indiana’s starters were in double figures, with Kelsey Mitchell and Smith scoring 18 and 17, respectively. Aliyah Boston and Kristy Wallace scored ten each. Smith was also one rebound away from having a double-double.
Reese had eight points and 13 rebounds in Chicago’s loss
Clark had 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists to help the Fever earn their second victory.
No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso made her WNBA debut and scored 11 points and six rebounds.
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 scored 11 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes on the court.
Reese came into Saturday’s game averaging 11 points, 8.2 rebounds and two assists so far in the W. The former Tiger’s strengths in college apparently translated well to the pros, as she leads all novices on boards.
He 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 entering the league. Unfortunately, the Fever have struggled, winning just one of their nine games entering Saturday.
Clark and Reese had an entertaining rivalry while playing for Iowa and LSU in the NCAA.
LSU won against Iowa in title game in 2023, Iowa got revenge in Elite 8 in April
In 2023, Reese and the Tigers beat Clark and the Hawkeyes in the NCAA championship game, 102-85. Reese posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds on his way to a championship.
Clark got 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 victory.
Iowa would go on to appear in another title game, but lost to Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team.
However, Clark was selected by the Fever with the first overall pick in the WNBA draft. Reese was picked seventh by Chicago.