Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) shoots against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the third quarter at State Farm Arena.
The prevailing narrative surrounding WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is that the two can hardly stand to share the same court with one another.
That narrative was only furthered on Sunday when fans alleged that Clark mocked Reese for missing a game-winning lay-up attempt in a game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream. The Fever went on to win the game in overtime, furthering its lead in the Eastern Conference standings.
But Clark’s comments after the game don’t point to someone who is disdainful toward Reese and the Dream. Instead, the MVP candidate showed a great deal of respect toward a team that she and the Fever could well square off with in the playoffs.
Caitlin Clark Heaps Praise On Atlanta Dream After Overtime Win
“This is a team that will be scary in the playoffs,” Clark said in her postgame press conference. “They’re great at what they do. They have a lot of different weapons.”
Atlanta currently sits second in the Eastern Conference standings, just 1.5 games behind Indiana, which has now won eight of its last 10 games despite a cacophony of outside noise.
While Clark wouldn’t specifically call the matchup with the Dream a rivalry, she did point out that the two teams appear to be on a collision course and always play one another close.
“These are the games you get up for,” Clark said. “That’s what’s fun about competition. You want to play the best; it brings out the best in you. And I thought we stepped up to the challenge and were really good tonight.
“I think, obviously, they’re a very talented team,” Clark said. “I feel like every matchup we’ve had this year has been really close, and it’s been a battle.”
The two teams split the season series, 2-2, and figure to battle it out for the top spot in the East over the final month of the regular season.