Angel Reese outduels Caitlin Clark with 25 and 16 in Sky’s win

In a high-stakes matchup that pitted two of the WNBA’s top rookies against each other, Angel Reese led the Chicago Sky to a thrilling 88-87 victory over the Indiana Fever, securing her first win over Caitlin Clark in their professional careers. Reese delivered a standout performance with a career-high 25 points and 16 rebounds, recording her eighth consecutive double-double, a WNBA rookie record.

Despite trailing by 15 points in the second half, Reese spearheaded a 31-15 run in the final 11:25, leading Chicago to a dramatic comeback. Her critical plays in the clutch, including a game-tying offensive rebound and a decisive layup with 53 seconds remaining, cemented the win for the Sky.

“This is what I do: I come out and perform,” Reese said post-game. “I do what it takes to win every single day.”

The Fever, led by Caitlin Clark’s 17 points and a franchise-record 13 assists, struggled to hold off the Sky’s relentless push. Clark, known for her scoring prowess, was held scoreless after the 7:12 mark in the fourth quarter and took just three shots in the final period.

Reflecting on the game, Clark noted Reese’s exceptional performance. “She ran really well in transition,” Clark said. “She got a couple and-1s in transition. Obviously, she played a really great game.”

Both players have a storied history dating back to their college days, where Reese’s LSU team triumphed over Clark’s Iowa in the 2023 national championship. Clark avenged that loss in 2024, leading Iowa past LSU in the national semifinals before losing to South Carolina in the championship game.

Despite the competitive backdrop, both stars downplayed any personal rivalry ahead of the game. The matchup, however, lived up to its hype, drawing an average ticket price of $351. Notable attendees included Chance the Rapper, Lil Durk, Jason Sudeikis, Jalen Brunson, and Sheryl Swoopes, who shared a touching moment with Reese after the game.

“It’s good for the game, good for women’s basketball, and good for women’s sports,” Reese said of the event’s significance. “You see NBA players, rappers, legends in the league showing support. Everybody’s watching right now.”

Kelsey Mitchell of the Fever, despite the loss, echoed Reese’s sentiments on the game’s impact on women’s basketball. “Today was a really good moment to be a part of,” Mitchell said. “The atmosphere, you guys, the media, the fans, your family, the young kids, this was a good atmosphere for us. I think the women’s basketball game as a whole took a big jump today.”

The Fever, having moved many of their games to larger venues due to high demand to see Clark, couldn’t shift Sunday’s game from Wintrust Arena, which was sold out despite being unable to use the larger United Center due to other events.

For the Sky, the win marks their second consecutive victory following a four-game losing streak. Reese emphasized the importance of their turnaround. “That losing streak definitely spoke a lot for us,” she said. “But being able to take that, everybody looked in the mirror and figured out what to do to get better. It doesn’t stop here.”

As both teams look ahead, this game will be remembered not just for its thrilling finish but for its broader impact on women’s sports, underscoring the rising prominence and popularity of the WNBA.