Basketball thrives on rivalries, from Bird vs. Magic to today’s most electrifying matchup: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese. With the WNBA’s 2025 schedule officially out, fans are buzzing with anticipation for the Indiana Fever’s season opener against the Chicago Sky, where these two stars will face off once again. The Fever-Sky game has become the hottest ticket in women’s basketball, with a get-in price of $271—higher than 29 out of 30 NBA home openers this season.

The Fever-Sky rivalry has not only captured headlines but also defined the competitive landscape of the WNBA. Last season, Clark’s Indiana Fever dominated the series, winning three of the four matchups. This dominance has set the stage for Reese’s Chicago Sky to seek redemption in the 2025 season.

It’s no secret that the WNBA is banking on the electricity of this matchup. The rivalry draws massive attention, with their June 2024 game pulling in 2.25 million viewers—the league’s highest in over two decades. Scheduling five showdowns between the Fever and Sky this season is a deliberate move to maintain momentum, boost ratings, and attract new fans.

Reese has been candid about the challenges of navigating intense scrutiny. “I think it’s been something that’s negative, but also positive. I think it shines light on women’s basketball, so I’ll take that of being able to be the person that gets the hate, but I know that at the end of the day, I’m growing women’s basketball and helping women’s basketball.” She said in an interview in an episode of 360 With Speedy recently.

Clark vs. Reese is not just a clash of talents it’s a battle of styles. Clark was crowned WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2024, dazzled with 8.4 assists per game, setting a league record for the most assists by a rookie (337). On the other hand, Reese established herself as a rebounding machine, setting single-season records with 13.1 rebounds per game, 446 total rebounds, and 172 offensive rebounds in her rookie season.

Clark vs. Reese: A rivalry beyond the court through fans

The competitive fire between these two stars can’t be confined to the stat sheet and has spilled over to social media, where fans can’t contain their enthusiasm. “Caitlin Clark owning Angel Reese again,” wrote one fan, summing up the feverish anticipation. The Indiana Fever franchise broke many viewership and sales records last season, all thanks to their golden rookie Caitlin Clark. Seemingly, the momentum is on the rise as the star’s impact is only continuing.

Another tweeted, “Caitlin gonna cook her a– again,” potentially pointing at the fact that the Indiana Fever not only won the season series over Reese’s Chicago Sky but were also able to make a comeback to the playoff scenes since 2016. On the other hand, the Sky dropped out of the postseason run this year.

A third declared, “The Clark effect.” Remember the final clash between Caitlin Clark’s Fever and Angel Reese’s Chicago that saw its prices reach a sky-high and a WNBA-high $271 on average. In fact, the cheapest tickets sold out for $200. Indeed, with everyone capitalizing on the Caitlin Clark Effect, the Windy City franchise too did not stay behind and we can certainly see the same happening in the next season.

Others reflected on the broader implications, with one remarking, “Happy to see this. CC is very marketable, the rest of the league, that’s a different story.” Yet another fan eagerly stated, “Clark v Angel—I can’t wait to watch the match.”

As the Fever and Sky prepare for their opening-night showdown, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry. For Clark and Reese, the stakes are high—not just for their teams, but for the broader growth of the WNBA. Fans, too, will be watching closely, ready to dissect every play, every highlight, and every new twist in this unforgettable saga.

The countdown has begun, and May 17 can’t come soon enough. Will Clark maintain her edge, or will Reese rise to the occasion? One thing is certain: the basketball world will be watching.