Dawn Staley defends Clark-Reese rivalry after heated foul incident

The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has sparked more discussions across the sports world and beyond.

Tempers flared between Reese and Clark after the Fever guard committed a flagrant foul on the Sky forward.

It was one of the bigger moments of Indiana’s 93-58 blowout win Saturday. 

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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts to a flagrant foul by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) May 17, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Both players downplayed the incident. Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the third quarter there was “nothing malicious” behind the foul.

After the game, Reese described the foul as a “basketball play.” 

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“Refs got it right. Move on,” Reese told reporters.

Three-time national championship-winning coach Dawn Staley weighed in on the rivalry between the two WNBA stars.

University of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates winning the Albany regional and advancing to the Final Four after cutting a piece of the net at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., March 31, 2024. (Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

“I think it’s great for our game,” Staley said. “It’s a sport. Treat us like a sport. … It happens in every sport — soccer, basketball, football … so let it be.”

Staley added that she believed the game officials made the right call. 

“I’m going to take the lead of Angel and Caitlin, and that lead is they said it was a foul. The officials got it right, and we’re moving on.” Staley said.

Caitlin Clark (22) of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese (5) of the Chicago Sky during a game June 1, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

“I think it pulls people in.” 

“I do think there are new fans that haven’t watched our game. I just hope that they’ll open their eyes to the rest of the talent that is there. The product is incredible, and it’s in high demand. We played Caitlin in the national championship last year. … Twenty million (viewers), whatever it topped off at.”

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Staley also expressed her excitement for future Clark-Reese matchups. 

“I’m looking forward to the next time they play, too,” Staley said. “I’m going to be glued in just like everybody else. I’m a fan.”

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