Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese added another chapter to their fierce rivalry in Saturday’s WNBA season opener.

Reese, the Chicago Sky’s star forward, took exception to a flagrant foul that Clark, the Indiana Fever superstar, laid on her at the 4:38 mark of the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

With the Fever holding a 14-point advantage, Rebecca Allen missed a 3-point attempt for the Sky, and Reese scrambled to grab the long rebound. As Reese attempted to dribble into the lane, Clark slashed her across the arms and bumped her, causing her to tumble to the floor.

Clark initially was called for a common foul, but after a lengthy review, it was upgraded to a Flagrant 1. Technical fouls also were assessed to Reese and Fever forward Aliyah Boston.

Reese was visibly upset after the foul, urgently getting to her feet and approaching Clark. Boston and players from both sides quickly stepped in, and Clark walked away toward midcourt. Reese continued her pursuit of Clark before teammates and coaches blocked her path, and cooler heads prevailed.

Clark downplayed the foul during an interview at the end of the third quarter. 

“It’s just a good take foul,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe on the broadcast. “Either Angel gets a wide-open two points, or we send them to the free-throw line. Nothing malicious about it. It’s just a good take foul. Every basketball player knows that.”

After the game, Reese also downplayed the incident when asked about the flagrant foul.

“Basketball play — the refs got it right,” Reese said. “Move on.”

Sky coach Tyler Marsh also was brief in his comments about the incident, simply saying “basketball play.”

Clark and Reese have a long history against each other, going back to their collegiate days. Reese’s LSU team defeated Clark’s Iowa squad in the 2023 national title game, with Reese doing a “you can’t see me” gesture at Clark in the win. Clark exacted her revenge in 2024, as Clark poured in 41 points in an Elite Eight win that ended Reese’s collegiate career.

This was their fifth WNBA meeting, with Clark’s Fever now having won four after the Fever’s 93-58 rout Saturday. 

This latest drama only will add to the intrigue in this growing rivalry. The Fever and Sky are set to play four more times this season, with the next game scheduled for June 7 at the United Center.