The growing rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has quickly become one of the most compelling narratives in sports, captivating audiences and drawing comparisons to legendary head-to-head battles, including the iconic NFL rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Much like Brady and Manning, whose brilliance defined an era of football, Clark and Reese have elevated the profile of women’s basketball with their competitive fire and elite talent. Their highly anticipated matchups — born in college and now continuing at the professional level — have become must-watch television, filled with drama and intensity.
Ryan Ruocco’s Thoughts on the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Rivalry
Basketball analyst Ryan Ruocco summed up the buzz around the duo, stating: “For me, it’s a rivalry. The core of that rivalry is Caitlin and Angel. The games were amazing. Highly competitive games with a lot of dramatic moments.”
That same anticipation surrounded every meeting between Brady’s Patriots and Manning’s Colts — and later, the Broncos. Their rivalry, defined by big moments and bigger stakes, was a cornerstone of the NFL for more than a decade. Brady finished 11-6 in head-to-head matchups with Manning.
Individually, both Clark and Reese have lived up to the hype. In her most recent season, Clark displayed her elite scoring and playmaking, setting a WNBA single-season record with 321 assists while averaging 20.1 points per game.
Clark was named first-team All-WNBA for her performance, leading the Fever to a 20-20 finish.
Reese, meanwhile, dominated the glass, setting a league record with 446 rebounds and adding 13.7 points per game. Both were named WNBA All-Stars and finished first and second in Rookie of the Year voting.
But the impact of their rivalry goes beyond the stat sheet. Like Brady and Manning, Clark and Reese are transcendent athletes drawing national attention and helping bring new fans to the game. As their careers progress, their showdowns are poised to leave a lasting mark, just like the Brady-Manning battles that are etched into NFL lore.
Clark and Reese’s rivalry dates back further than their WNBA dominance. The two met in the 2023 National Championship game, when Reese’s LSU Tigers beat Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. Clark got her revenge the following year with a win against LSU in the Elite Eight.
Fans won’t have to wait long for the next chapter. The Chicago Sky head to Indiana to face the Fever this Saturday, May 17. It’s just the beginning of what’s already shaping up to be a classic rivalry.