During the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky’s much-anticipated showdown on May 17, a collision and subsequent confrontation took Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s rivalry to the next level.
Clark exploded for a 20‑10‑10 triple‑double in the blowout win, reminding everyone why she won the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year award and became an All-WNBA First Team selection last season, while Reese recorded 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Sky.
But what began as a hard, take‑foul shove under the basket was upgraded to a flagrant 1 by the officials after instant replay confirmed sufficient impact and follow‑through on Reese’s back. As the dust settled on Indiana’s 93‑58 rout, many media members weighed in on the viral moment, including former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Robert Griffin III Calls Out Angel Reese for Hating Caitlin Clark
Midway through the third quarter, Reese secured an offensive rebound and drifted unguarded toward the rim. Clark closed hard, slapping Reese’s arm and causing the Sky forward crashed to the court.
The referees huddled and Clark was called for a flagrant‑1 for the unnecessary contact, while Reese and Aliyah Boston picked up technical fouls for their reactions.
Caitlin Clark received a flagrant foul on this play.
Aliyah Boston and Angel Reese received offsetting technical fouls. pic.twitter.com/jzQYEW92TW
— ESPN (@espn) May 17, 2025
Moments after the dust settled on the court, Griffin took to X to offer his take on the play and the dynamic between Clark and Reese.
“After watching Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin Clark. I know what hatred looks like.” Griffin said. “Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate.”
On Sunday morning, Griffin doubled down on his bold claim, posting a two-minute video about the incident and claiming that Reese has “jealousy and resentment” toward Clark. He argued that this rivalry being built on actual bad blood is great for the WNBA.
Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark.
It’s staring us all right in the face, but people are afraid to say it.
Won’t answer questions about Caitlin Clark.
Gets mad when people praise Caitlin Clark for the explosion of popularity around Women’s Basketball.
Celebrates when her… pic.twitter.com/mQddPuUAvK
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII)
After the game, Clark insisted that her intent was never malicious but strategic—a “take foul” to disrupt the Sky’s momentum.
“It’s just a good take foul. You know, either Angel gets a wide-open two points, or we send them to the free-throw line. Nothing malicious about it. It’s just a good take foul. Every basketball player knows that,” Clark told Holly Rowe.
After watching Caitlin Clark’s flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesn’t dislike Caitlin Clark. I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 17, 2025
Reese mirrored that sentiment, saying during the postgame media press conference: “Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,” she said.
Yet even as both players sought to defuse the drama, Griffin’s words have stoked the flames.
Do Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Like Each Other?
There certainly seems to be some real tension between Clark and Reese. And it didn’t start in the WNBA — it goes back to college.
Their rivalry really took off during the 2023 NCAA Championship. Reese’s team, LSU, beat Clark’s Iowa squad, and after the game, Reese made the “you can’t see me” hand gesture toward Clark. Some people thought it was just competitive fun, while others saw it as personal. Either way, it sparked a big debate.
Angel Reese hits Caitlin Clark with the “You Can’t See Me” 💀 pic.twitter.com/eA0YT0m9tA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2023
Fast forward to the WNBA. Clark was the No. 1 overall pick by the Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, while Reese was picked No. 7 by the Sky. The rivalry carried over from college and their matchups have been must-see TV.
The WNBA is more popular than ever, and the Reese-Clark rivalry is a big reason why. Every time they step on the court (or comment about each other off the court), there’s plenty of conversation, and there’s genuine interest in their dynamic.
No one really knows what’s going on behind the scenes, but one thing’s for sure — the tension makes every game more exciting to watch.
You are totally clueless if you call this reese clark thing a rivalry. Thats like saying there was a rivalry between tim Tebow and tom Brady