Even without setting foot on the court, Caitlin Clark managed to add fuel to one of the WNBA’s most talked-about rivalries.
The Indiana Fever star was sidelined with a quad injury, but that didn’t stop her from stirring the pot during Saturday’s game against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.
In a now-viral moment, Clark jumped up from the bench to dramatically make the “travel” hand gesture after Reese was whistled for the violation — and she made sure everyone saw it.
Clark Gets Animated on the Bench
Clark, who’s still rehabbing her injury, wasn’t just quietly observing the game.
As soon as Reese took too many steps near the Fever bench, Clark stood up and exaggerated the travel motion, pointing toward the basket Indiana was aiming for.
It was bold, it was spicy — and it got people talking.
The game was nationally televised on CBS, with high expectations for another head-to-head between the two biggest names in the league.
But with Clark sitting out, fans got a taste of their rivalry in a very different — and very public — way.
Angel Reese Struggles as Sky Falls to Fever
Without Clark on the floor, Indiana still cruised to a dominant 79–52 win over the Sky on the road.
Meanwhile, Angel Reese had another tough night.
The second-year forward played 27 minutes but managed only four points and ended with a rough plus-minus of -20.
This matchup added another wrinkle to what’s quickly becoming one of the league’s most dramatic on-court storylines.
And the history between Clark and Reese goes deeper than just Saturday’s bench theatrics.
A Heated History Between the Two
The tension between Clark and Reese isn’t new.
In their first game against each other earlier this season, things got especially intense.
Reese had just grabbed an offensive rebound late in the third quarter when Clark knocked her down, causing the ball to slip from her hands.
That collision led to a near confrontation, with players from both teams stepping in before things got physical.
Reese had to be held back by a team official, clearly furious.
Clark, for her part, simply turned around and walked away — a move that didn’t go unnoticed by viewers or commentators.
Racism Investigation Put the League Under the Microscope
The aftermath of that heated moment went far beyond the court.
Following the earlier incident, the WNBA launched an investigation into alleged racist behavior from Indiana Fever fans during the game.
However, after looking into the matter, the league found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Still, the situation prompted both players to speak up.
Clark and Reese Speak Out on Fan Behavior
Caitlin Clark, often reserved off the court, took a strong stance after the investigation was made public.
“There’s no place for that in our game, and there’s no place for that in society,” she said. “We want everyone — fans, players, anyone — to feel safe and welcome in our arenas.”
Angel Reese echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the league had her back.
“Our team and the WNBA have done a great job supporting me,” she told reporters.
“If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.
But I’ve had so much support, and I really appreciate that.”
Looking Ahead: Rivalry, Recovery, and Redemption
As Caitlin Clark inches closer to returning from injury, fans are already looking ahead to the next time she and Reese share the court.
Whether they’re facing off on the hardwood or throwing shade from the sidelines, their rivalry is quickly becoming the heart of the WNBA’s growing spotlight.
And with the Fever on a roll and the Sky struggling, there’s no doubt more fireworks are ahead — both in gameplay and in sideline drama.