Stephen A. Smith Has Strong Advice for Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Amid Drama

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi M. Dombro | Last updated May 19, 2025 1:38 PM ET

The Chicago Sky got blown out by the Indiana Fever on Saturday, May 17 to open up the 2025 season. New Fever coach Stephanie White had a lot more figured out than new Sky coach Tyler Marsh, and the final score being 93 to 58 showcased that.

Caitlin Clark was up to her usual tricks, recording a 20-point triple-double with four blocks and two steals as well. Angel Reese also did what she does best, scoring 12 points and contributing a staggering 17 rebounds.

Unfortunately, despite these two great performances, most of the discourse about the game surrounds a flagrant foul that Clark had on Reese in the second half.

The foul has caused quite a stir in WNBA circles, and Reese took exception to the play when it occurred. Both of these young stars handled the incident in a mature fashion after the game, but tensions will certainly be heightened before their next meeting.

Renowned ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith reacted to the scuffle on Monday's edition of "First Take." He gave some advice to Reese and Clark by comparing their rivalry between these two young stars to that of Hall of Fame NBA players Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

"Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, embrace this (rivalry)," Smith said. "It's okay, because all y'all are doing is competing."

These two players are already some of the biggest faces in the WNBA, and the league is already leaning into the rivalry. The Sky and Fever are set to face off five times this season, which is a league record.

The bitterness between these two players began when Reese and her LSU teammates took down Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA National Championship Game. Reese infamously mocked Clark in the final moments of the matchup, which spurred excitement for their professional showdowns.

On the court, the Fever got the best of the Sky, and it was not particularly close. If the drama can be set aside for their next matchup on June 7, then it has all the makings of another great WNBA game.

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

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