Caitlin Clark Sends Message to Angel Reese After On-Court Altercation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.R. DeGroote | Last updated May 17, 2025 6:17 PM ET

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark addressed the hard foul she committed on Angel Reese during Saturday’s season opener — a play that triggered a brief on-court altercation and reignited tensions between the two.

Reese grabbed a rebound in the third quarter and had a wide-open layup ahead of her. Clark was the closest defender and delivered a hard foul, sending Reese to the court. Reese immediately popped up and went after Clark, who walked to the other side of the court.

Officials upgraded Clark's personal foul to a flagrant 1, a decision she visibly disagreed with as it was announced. She later had an extended conversation with the referees, which she discussed with ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe in an interview before the start of the fourth quarter.

"It's just a good take foul," Clark told Rowe. "Either Angel gets a wide open two points or we just send her to the free throw line. Nothing malicious about it. It's just a good take foul. Every good basketball player knows that."

Clark and Reese’s rivalry is one of the most compelling in basketball, dating back to their college days and fueled by high-stakes showdowns and headline-grabbing moments. Saturday’s hard foul was the latest chapter in their ongoing saga, adding even more intensity to a matchup already loaded with history.

Clark and the Fever dominated the opener, winning 93-58. Clark recorded a triple-double, notching 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. She also added a career-high four blocks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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