Magic Johnson Compares Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Rivalry to His Own Legendary Battles with Larry Bird
Magic Johnson recently drew intriguing parallels between the fierce rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and his own legendary battles with Larry Bird, a rivalry that defined the NBA during the 1980s.
The rivalry between Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes star, and Reese, the LSU Tigers standout, has grown even more intense this year, with both players taking their competition into the professional arena. The tension was fueled earlier this week when Nike unveiled a massive billboard of Clark in Chicago—just 3½ miles away from the Wintrust Arena, home of Reese’s team, the Chicago Sky. The placement of the billboard in Reese’s home turf sparked reactions from fans, many of whom saw it as a strategic move in their ongoing rivalry. The new advertisement quickly became a battleground on social media, with Clark’s supporters mocking Reese, further intensifying the fan-driven feud.
The rivalry between the two players first ignited in the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, where Reese taunted Clark after LSU’s victory. As she pointed to her finger in reference to the championship ring, it became a moment that sparked outrage among Clark’s fans, including a highly controversial post from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who called Reese “a piece of s—” following her gesture.
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The rivalry didn’t end there. This year, both players faced off in multiple professional matchups, which were marred by controversy. During a June game, Reese smacked Clark in the head while attempting to block a shot, leading to further tensions. A series of flagrant fouls and heated exchanges between Reese and Clark’s teams only fueled the animosity. One incident saw Diamond DeShields, Reese’s teammate, sharing screenshots of hateful messages after knocking Clark to the floor during a later matchup.
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Though both players have publicly downplayed any personal animosity, with each offering respectful comments about the other in the media, the real battleground has been their fans. Since the championship game, social media has been flooded with vitriolic attacks, including death threats and explicit AI-generated images sent to Reese’s family, something she has spoken out about on her podcast. Reese has pointed to the racial undertones in the harassment, acknowledging the toxic energy that some fans bring to the rivalry.
Despite the drama surrounding their rivalry, Clark has scored a major off-the-court victory with her recent endorsement deal. In April 2024, Clark signed an unprecedented eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike, which includes a signature shoe—the largest endorsement deal in women’s basketball history. This comes on the heels of Nike’s launch of its 27th Super Bowl ad, which features Clark alongside other top female athletes in a one-minute commercial celebrating women’s sports. The ad, which includes stars like Sha’Carri Richardson and A’ja Wilson, has garnered attention, but not without controversy. Critics have called out Nike’s support of transgender athletes in women’s sports, further adding fuel to the fire of ongoing debates in the sports world.
While the rivalry between Clark and Reese continues to unfold, their presence in the spotlight is undeniable. Whether on the court or off, the two athletes have sparked a new chapter in women’s sports, drawing attention to both their talent and the complicated dynamics that can emerge from fierce competition.
