The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is bound to leave its mark on sports history. Since their days in college basketball, both have exchanged blows on and off the court. In one of the most recent episodes, Reese’s fans raised their voices against what seems to be preferential treatment for Clark.

No one doubts that Clark had a difficult start in the WNBA. It is hard to forget the hit that Chennedy Carter gave her in the first game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Back then, fans and personalities from all walks of life raised their voices to defend the Fever rookie.

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Things have changed since then. The circuit’s veterans have already let the rookie see she has to earn her place, while Clark has acquired the experience and muscle to bear the punishment.

She has done so well that the roles have begun to reverse, but unlike Reese and the rest of the league, the Fever guard seems to have carte blanche from the referees and fans to commit serious fouls without suffering the consequences.

Clark’s flagrant foul

 

This past June 16, in the second game of the season between the Fever and the Sky, Reese gave Clark a strong swipe while Caitlin went for a layout. The referees marked a regular foul on Angel, but after a review, they raised it to Flagrant 1.

The referee’s decision generated great controversy in mainstream and social media, with fans and specialists arguing for and against each player. Most supported Clark, especially remembering her complicated start to the season.

In the most recent meeting between the teams, on August 23, the Fever guard delivered the hit, sending the Sky forward to the court in a play virtually identical to that of two weeks ago.

However, unlike at Grainbridge Fieldhouse two weeks ago, Clark was only called for a regular foul, and there has been no outcry in the media for the WNBA to change the officiating call to a more serious one.

There is no doubt that this is just the beginning of a rivalry that will make history. Who will go down in the history books as the hero and who as the villain remains to be seen.