Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark's epic WNBA showdown sets records in Sky's 88-87 win over Fever

Rookie rivalry between Reese and Clark captivates WNBA fans, breaking viewership and ticket sale records.

Sunday's highly anticipated WNBA clash between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever exceeded expectations as Angel Reese delivered a stellar performance, leading the Sky to an 88-87 victory over Caitlin Clark's Fever.

Reese, showcasing her rookie prowess, scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, marking her eighth consecutive double-double, a rookie record.

The game was tightly contested throughout, with the lead changing hands frequently until the Fever surged ahead in the third quarter, extending their lead to 15 points.

However, the Sky mounted a dramatic comeback, securing the win by a single point.

Notably, Reese became the first rookie since A'ja Wilson in 2018 to achieve 25 points and 16 rebounds in a game, solidifying her place in WNBA history as one of only three players to achieve eight straight double-doubles.

Reflecting on her performance, Reese stated succinctly in a post-game interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe, "I'm a dog, you can't teach that."

Clark, Reese's longtime rival dating back to their NCAA days, also contributed significantly with a double-double of her own, scoring 17 points and dishing out 13 assists. The rivalry between Clark's Iowa and Reese's LSU has been intense, with LSU claiming the national championship over Iowa in 2023, and Iowa eliminating LSU from this year's tournament.

Addressing the perceived rivalry, Reese emphasized to reporters earlier this year, "I don't think people realize it's not personal... Me and Caitlin Clark don't hate each other. I want everybody to understand that."

Clark echoed this sentiment in a post-game press conference, dismissing the idea of a rivalry: "I'm pretty sure the only people that view this as a rivalry is all of you. Like, to us it's just a game of basketball."

Despite their mutual respect, the impact of their rivalry on WNBA fandom is undeniable.

The showdown between Clark and Reese set a new record for the highest average ticket price in WNBA history, with their games drawing unprecedented viewership.