Much has been said about the rivalry between Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese . The two have been battling for women's basketball supremacy since high school and the collegiate ranks, with both players being highly touted prospects.
That intense rivalry has carried over to the WNBA , with Clark's sensational play helping the Fever clinch their first postseason berth in the last eight years. On the other hand, Angel has come up with historic performances of her own, including the most rebounds in a single season and the most consecutive double-doubles. However, the former LSU star's campaign was cut short after she announced she would miss the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury.
Clark reacts to Reese's injury
No matter how heated things can get between players on the floor, the WNBA is ultimately a sisterhood. Not long before registering 26 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds in a 104-100 overtime win over the Atlanta Dream, Clark relayed how she felt about Reese's season-ending wrist injury, which she suffered in the game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
"It's obviously, definitely sad, anytime you see anybody go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with, whether it was Cam (Cameron Brink), whether it was Angel, and especially Angel," Caitlin said .
Reese, the seventh pick of this year's WNBA Draft, has been incredible this season, averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds. The 6-foot-3 forward has also amassed 26 double-doubles, the second-most in league history.
"You want to see her finish out this year. Obviously, she's had a historic year, and she's done some incredible things," Clark, the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award, said. "I thought she had a tremendous year, and I thought she came to the league and really did what she's done well her entire career, as long as I've known her. So it's definitely devastating. That's never anything you want to see from a player. "
Related: Cheryl Miller explains why Angel Reese reminds her of Dennis Rodman: Every loose ball they are going to find the way"
Continue taking care of their bodies
The WNBA season can sometimes be a grind, especially when players don't get much rest between games. Caitlin added that as much as injuries can happen to anyone at any time, the best players can do is stay healthy and take care of their bodies.
"I think, for myself, I think just some of those things you can't avoid, especially in their two instances. Obviously, I don't know the specific details, but that's kind of what comes with basketball at times," Clark added. "So, you know, it's sad for them, but I think at the same time for myself, just continue to take care of your body, take care of yourself. It becomes a long season, especially when you're playing games with one day in between. You really have to prioritize that. But like I said, some of those things are just unavoidable, and it's sad to see."
This chapter of the rivalry between Caitlin and Angel may be closed, but it will continue next season when the latter returns healthier and stronger than ever.
Related: "People have made AI pictures of me, like, naked" - Angel Reese reveals she received death threats from Caitlin Clark fans
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