They say rivalries are the heartbeat of sports. It’s rarely just about stats or silverware–it’s about pride, intensity, and making a statement. And in the WNBA, that spotlight always shines bright on Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Their rivalry dates back to the 2023 NCAA championship game, where Reese and LSU took home the title. That win was iconic–not just for the scoreboard, but for the moment after. Fast forward a year, and Reese was once again seen pointing to her ring finger in Clark’s direction–a fiery reminder of who wore the crown. It was bold, it was emotional, and it got everyone talking. But does that really make it a rivalry? After last night’s heated exchange, most fans would say yes. But Rachel DeMita? She’s still not ready to call it one.

It all started when Angel Reese secured an offensive rebound and Caitlin Clark swiped at her arm with enough force to send the ball flying and Reese crashing to the floor.

The referees called a flagrant foul on Clark, a call upheld after review, reflecting the physical intensity of the moment.

But Reese didn’t stay down for long. She got up and made her way toward Clark, only for Aliyah Boston to step in and keep things from escalating. Cameras even caught Reese saying, “You crazy as f—. What the f— is wrong with you?” right after the scuffle. Social media lit up immediately. But despite all the buzz, Rachel DeMita still isn’t ready to call this a full-blown rivalry.

On her YouTube channel, Rachel DeMita didn’t hold back. She said,  “I was like, ‘Not again.’ I was speechless—like you guys can see me on the live, I’m just like, ‘Oh my gosh, here we go again, another year of this fabricated rivalry just because of a basketball play.'” She went on, “This should not be a rivalry. This rivalry should be dead. The Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese narrative should be dead. It’s not a fair rivalry, and it’s not going to be a rivalry if the Indiana Fever team plays this well.”

Well, if we’re just going by results since both entered the league, it’s hard to call this a rivalry at all. Caitlin Clark currently leads Angel Reese 5-1 in head-to-head matchups, and there’s little debate about who’s the better player. If there were still any questions about who the better player is, last night’s game might’ve settled it. Clark opened the season recording the third triple-double of her career as the Indiana Fever rolled past the Chicago Sky 93-58. The reigning Rookie of the Year finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists–and a career-high four blocks to top it off.

As Rachel DeMita pointed out, this might just be a case of a rivalry that’s been built more by the media than the players themselves. The WNBA has leaned into this narrative, scheduling five Fever-Sky games in 2025—including two at Chicago’s United Center to accommodate massive crowds, a first for the league. Their June 2024 clash pulled in 2.25 million viewers, marking the most-watched WNBA regular-season game in over two decades.

But after the intense showdown we witnessed last night, it’s hard to imagine this storyline fading anytime soon. Still, both Coach Tyler Marsh and Angel Reese did their best to downplay the incident. They brushed it off as just another heated moment in a competitive game. Clark did the same. Let’s take a look at what they had to say.

Angel Reese talks about the incident with Caitlin Clark

Angel Reese remained composed during the post-game press conference, giving a measured take on her intense exchange with Caitlin Clark in the Chicago Sky’s 93-58 loss to the Indiana Fever. Despite the on-court fireworks, it’s evident that there’s a strong level of mutual respect between the two stars.

“Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,” Reese told reporters calmly. Sky coach Tyler Marsh also shared his thoughts on the incident. “Yeah, I think it’s a little misrepresentation to say we had to calm her down,” he explained. “Emotions were high on both sides, and I think Angel reacted in a way any of us would in a moment like that.”

It was a tough night for the Bayou Barbie. Angel Reese didn’t quite look like herself out there, but no one’s forgotten what she’s capable of. Luckily, we won’t have to wait long for the next chapter. June 7th brings another matchup between these two teams—and these two rivals. Will the Fever stay on top? Or can the Sky bounce back and even the score? Stay tuned to find out!