The WNBA’s very own Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson rivalry has had its fair share of twists and turns over the past year and a half. From viral college clashes to headline-grabbing moments in the pros, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have kept fans locked in! Clark and the Bayou Barbie have always been portrayed as arch rivals, but now, their story seems to be evolving yet again. Especially, after veteran reporter Christine Brennan dropped fresh details that could change how this rivalry is viewed.

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Earlier this week, it became clear that Caitlin Clark was going to be one of the captains for the upcoming All-Star games. A hugely popular decision. With the event set to take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, it was only fitting that the hometown hero lead the charge. Clark was well worthy of the honor as she had ended up getting 1,293,526 votes from fans – the highest in the league.

For those who might’ve forgotten, last year Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark were the only rookies selected for the All-Star Game and they shared the court as teammates. Naturally, fans expected more of the same this year. They hoped Clark would pick Reese up, but that wasn’t the case. She decided to pick Gabby Williams instead of Reese. And as you would have guessed, it sparked a huge controversy on the internet.

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Maybe there is a rivalry between them after all? Maybe Clark does despise Angel Reese for the antics she has pulled on the court over the years. But all those speculations were busted by the author of “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports,” Christine Brennan.

“Angel is, as Caitlin says, she has got a motor unlike anybody. In other words, giving total praise to Angel about how hard she works, how amazing she is. She just does not stop rebounding, finding her teammates,” said the sports columnist of USA Today and a commentator on ABC Sports.

In her last 5 games, Reese is averaging 17.4 rebounds per game according to YahooSports. Numbers like that are simply unheard of. So, when Caitlin Clark passed on drafting Reese, despite having the chance, many were left scratching their heads. Especially considering Reese is arguably in the form of her life right now. But Clark had made it clear that her priority was her teammates.

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On top of that, the decision to take Gaby Williams ahead of Reese isn’t a bad choice either. Williams established herself as one of the best defenders in the league, averaging 2.6 steals per game. She even created a franchise record of 8 steals in a game earlier this month against the Sparks. Having the former Husky on the team only makes Team Clark stronger. So, it’s quite obvious that Clark has nothing but respect for Reese, and she probably would have picked her in the next round, but Napheesa Collier wasn’t going to take that risk.

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That said, Christine Brennan may have just added another layer to this already fiery rivalry. The veteran journalist recently revealed an interesting detail about Angel Reese. What is it?

Angel Reese rejects Christine Brennan’s request to speak about Caitlin Clark

According to the author, she had approached Reese to talk about the Chennedy Carter incident with Caitlin Clark, but Reese declined multiple requests. For those unaware, Carter had given Clark a rough “Welcome to the W” moment last year with a hard shove that earned her a Flagrant 1 foul. Reese, who was on the bench during that game, was even seen clapping in approval at the time.

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Angel Reese

Imago

“Through a spokeswoman, Reese declined several requests to comment for this book,” Brennan wrote in her book ‘On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports.’ Brennan also revealed that the league later fined Reese $1,000 for failing to fulfill her media obligations by not responding to the interview requests.

While it’s definitely a big loss for fans not to see Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark team up again in the All-Star Game, watching them face off isn’t exactly a loss either. These two create headlines every time they take to court. So do you think something of that sort is about to happen again? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Akash Das

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Akash Das is an NCAA and WNBA Writer at EssentiallySports, where his bylines dive deep into the structural side of basketball. With a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication and a Master’s in Sports Business & Management from the University of Liverpool, he grounds every feature in strong reporting fundamentals and academic rigor. His coverage tracks how coaching blueprints, roster construction, and roster moves, from the NCAA transfer portal to WNBA free agency, shape outcomes on the court. His sharp breakdowns at the WNBA desk earned him a spot in the outlet’s prestigious Journalistic Excellence Program, putting him among ES’ most trusted voices on basketball. Beyond box scores, Akash is driven by the bigger picture: how programs are built, maintained, and rebuilt in the NCAA pipeline, and how those systems intersect with the professional game. With experience across sports writing, research, and media strategy, he brings nuance to topics often overlooked in day-to-day highlights coverage. Whether examining the long-term vision behind a college program or the ripple effect of player mobility in the WNBA, Akash connects fans to the tactical and structural heart of the sport.

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