Ahead of the 2025 WNBA season opener on May 17 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, two of the league’s biggest stars—Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever—stand ready to rekindle a rivalry that has captured national attention.
Reese, coming off a historic rookie campaign highlighted by a league‑leading 13.1 rebounds per game and a record‑setting 15 consecutive double‑doubles, brings brute strength and inside presence to the Sky’s frontcourt.
Clark, fresh from capturing Rookie of the Year honors and leading the WNBA with 8.4 assists per game while averaging 19.2 points on an efficient 41.7% shooting clip, orchestrates Indiana’s offense from the backcourt.
​Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark Sparks Preseason Fireworks
It all began with that unforgettable draft night in 2024 when Clark heard her name called No. 1 overall by the Fever, only for Reese to follow at No. 7 to the Sky, setting the stage for a showdown years in the making.
Fast‑forward to May 17, and the Chicago Sky will host the Fever in what promises to be a tactical chess match between Reese’s interior mastery and Clark’s perimeter precision, with tip‑off set for 7 PM ET.
Clark led her rookie class with 19.2 points per game, punctuated by a WNBA‑best 337 total assists that often came with scoring bursts of 25-plus points.
The Fever star pulled down 5.7 rebounds per game, a solid mark for a 6‑foot guard, and became the first rookie since Candace Parker to average a double‑digit assist‑rebound combination.
Meanwhile, Reese averaged a respectable 13.6 points per game, demonstrating an expanding offensive repertoire beyond her established rebounding expertise. She claimed the rebounding crown at 13.1 boards per game—more than two rebounds above the next competitor—and set rookie records with 15 straight double‑doubles.
Clark shot 41.7% from the field and an impressive 90.6% from the free‑throw line, while Reese posted a 39.1% FG rate with room to grow on her outside shooting.
From their NCAA Final Four dances (LSU vs. Iowa) to their first professional tip‑offs, the two icons have stalked parallel paths of hype and headlines. Now, under the bright lights of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the court will be their canvas as each seeks to prove she has the upper hand.
Reese vs. Clark: Season Opener Preview
Fever will lock horns with Chicago soon, and the Sky’s bench rebounding vs. Indiana’s second‑unit scoring balance could tip the scales in a tight contest. Furthermore, ABC, ESPN+, and Disney+ will carry the national telecast.
The Sky’s head coach, Tyler Marsh, has centered the offense around Reese’s interior strength, pairing her with veteran shooters to stretch defense strategy that produced a notable uptick in second‑chance points during the preseason.
For Indiana, rookie‑of‑the‑year Clark operates as both floor general and go‑to scorer, delivering a dual threat that has lifted the Fever’s offensive rating to the top 10 in early workouts.
This season opener is more than a debut; it’s a narrative chapter in a rivalry defined by contrasting skill sets and competitive fire. Will Angel Reese’s relentless rebounding set the tone, or will Caitlin Clark’s playmaking and scoring finesse give Indiana the edge? Fans won’t have to wait long to find out.
