Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are quite the dream team.
On July 20, the rookie superstars joined forces against the US Olympic women’s basketball team in the highly-anticipate WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona—winning the matchup on behalf of Team WNBA, which was voted on by fans, players, coaches, and members of the media.
While there’s no doubt that Dallas Wings player Arike Ogunbowale earner her title as MVP with 34 points, Clark and Reese delivered the team-up fans have been dying to see since their 2023 NCAA Championship face-off sparked a major rise in viewership for the sport.
Both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark had an impact on the game as individuals, with Clark breaking the All-Star rookie assist record and Reese becoming the first rookie in the league to record a double-double during an All-Star Game. However, Clark earned one of her 10 assists by sending a a beautiful bounce pass to Reese, which the Chicago Sky player turned into a flawless layup.
Not bad for two players who have been at the center of rivalry discourse since their college days—which has only gotten more toxic and divisive amid their first WNBA season. “I’m pretty sure the only people that view this as a rivalry is all of you,” Clark bluntly told a reporter in June. “Like, to us it’s just a game of basketball.”
On July 22, Reese shared some All-Star weekend highlights to her Instagram grid, including a photo of herself and Clark sharing a low-five between plays. “I like that pic of u and CC,” one fan commented on the post. “Brings all the community [together] 👏.”
Another wrote, “Love that picture of you and Clark. I hate seeing two great women fight!!”
Team WNBA players Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese share a moment during the 2024 All-Star Game on July 20, 2024. Catalina Fragoso/Getty Images
Aside from some infamous game-day trash talk, the pair have nothing but positive things to say about one another off the courts. In fact, Angel Reese has praised Caitlin Clark on numerous occasions, including during the All-Star game on July 20. “It’s so cool, I know when she gets the ball I’m running looking for the ball because I know she’s gonna throw it,” Reese said from the bench. “So, she’s been great to play with. I mean, the future—we’re going to be playing with each other a lot. Hopefully, in four years we’ll be Olympians together.”
WNBA fans and commentators will undoubtably go back to pitting Reese and Clark against each other as the Rookie of the Year debate progresses, but it was beautiful to see everyone put on their “get-along shirts” for at least one night. Like Reese has said in the past, “this is not gonna be the [last] time.”
