Caitlin Clark reminded Flau’jae Johnson of their college days. In 2024, Clark dropped 41 points and 12 assists in an Elite Eight matchup against Johnson’s LSU for a Hawkeyes win. When the two matched up in the WNBA for the second time, Clark had a similar performance to boot. She dropped 45 points and 10 assists on Johnson’s Storm to take home a 110-107 win. However, an incident inducing friction between the old rivals caught the camera’s eye as Clark got one over Johnson.
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Just more than halfway into the fourth quarter and the Storm leading 96-92, Clark had Flau’jae Johnson stranded in the corner. And the Indiana Fever point guard clearly fouled her with a push on the hip. Clark immediately realized it and tried to help Johnson up while apologizing for a foul that left Johnson on the floor. However, Johnson completely ignored Clark’s gesture and got back into her position with a serious look on her face. Johnson usually admires Clark’s game, but this was a sign of how intense the game was at that point.
The Indiana Fever point guard did not take it personally and smiled it off. And it could just be one moment of fierce in-game competition instead of a long-term rivalry. While Clark and Johnson were college adversaries at Iowa and LSU, respectively, their personal relationship has always been above board. In fact, Johnson hailed Clark as “the hardest opponent” to play against last year.
“She’s definitely the hardest opponent I’ve ever had to play. She was able to just facilitate,” Johnson said then. “She’s like the best passer I think I’ve ever played against, ever in my life. Her and Georgia Amoore can really pass. I really respect the game, and I respect her skill. This is next level; it’s not even close.”
Johnson also name-dropped Clark’s name in “Help Me,” after which she revealed she texts Clark regularly for advice. Clark reciprocated that gesture by showing her appreciation for Johnson.
“She’s incredible, but it was awesome. Her music is really great,” Clark said. “She’s so talented, and I’ve honestly been a really big fan of hers since we played them at LSU. I think her game is really good.”
However, between the lines, there is not much room for friendship. The two players continued to clash in a back-and-forth game. With just a minute to go, Johnson stole the ball off Clark with the score all tied at 102-102 and 56 seconds in the regulation. Johnson was one-on-one with the Fever guard for a potential game-winning layup. However, Clark blocked it out, and the ball went out of bounds for a Storm turnover. It was arguably the most important play of the game.
Johnson was no slouch going up against Caitlin Clark, though. She had 16 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds, along with three steals while shooting 7-16 from the field. Her clutch plays towards the end of the game were crucial in keeping Storm in the game. However, Clark just blew Storm out of the water with her monstrous 45 points, 10 assists performance.