The match between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has all the ingredients of a rivalry — except the bigger star is more willing to call it a rivalry.
The two WNBA rookies are scheduled to meet Sunday at 4 p.m. in just their third professional matchup, their fourth in the past three months and fifth in the past 15 months since Reese led LSU to a win over Clark’s Iowa team in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball national championship.
“I think you’re the only ones who would look at this as a rivalry,” Clark told reporters after the Indiana Fever’s win over the Atlanta Dream on Friday night. “To us, it’s just a basketball game. That’s what it is. If it helps move the game forward, then yeah, that’s great. That’s the way it should be. People can talk about it.”
Ticket prices are hitting record highs and people are definitely talking about it.
Especially after Reese was called for a flagrant foul last week during the Sky’s game against the Fever for hitting Clark in the head while going for a blocked shot, knocking him to the ground.
Rees said after the game that Clarke received a “special whistle” compared to other players.
In the first Fever-Sky game of the season, Clark was taken to the ground with a hip check by Sky forward Chennedy Carter, while Reese was on the bench cheering on his teammate’s dirty play.
The Fever (7-10) are trailing 2-0 heading into the third game against the Sky (5-9).
“We’re excited,” Clark said. “We’ve got to remember this win and learn from it. We travel, we get there, we practice, we prepare and we go out and play.” [Sunday] 4pm Like I said, if it helps the game move forward, absolutely. [call it a rivalry]. “
Tick PickThe secondhand goods marketplace has declared the Clark vs. Reese III matchup the most expensive ticket in WNBA history.
As of Friday, the average purchase price for the game was $271, 207 percent higher than the Sky’s average home purchase price of $88 this season, according to TickPick. Ticket prices ranged from $249 to $9,131.
The game will be played at Chicago’s 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena, because the 23,129-seat United Center is booked for a concert by rapper Russ.
“I think the last two games have lived up to everyone’s expectations,” Clark said, adding that he wished the games had been played in a larger venue. “Honestly, it’s just been some really good basketball games.”
