Rachel Nichols, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese (Photos via Twitter and Getty Images)
Veteran reporter Rachel Nichols weighed in on the drama with a perspective that immediately resonated with fans. Rather than fanning the flames, Nichols highlighted how rivalries like Clark vs. Reese are actually great for the WNBA, drawing new eyes and injecting passion into the league. She pointed out that competitive fire and heated moments are part of what make sports compelling — and that both Clark and Reese are helping to push women’s basketball into a bigger spotlight. Nichols’ take was a refreshing reminder that while emotions run high, the intensity only proves how much these rising stars matter.

Rachel Nichols had the perfect answer to the rapidly growing feud between WNBA rookie stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese began last year, when LSU soundly defeated Iowa in the women’s national championship game. Reese taunted Clark near the end of the game by performing John Cena’s “You can’t see me gesture”, which the Hawkeyes star had previously used in the tournament.

Clark and Reese met on the WNBA court for the first time on Saturday, when the Chicago Sky visited the Indiana Fever. In the third quarter of the contest, Chennedy Carter delivered an unnecessary cheap shot on Clark, and Reese was seen celebrating on the sidelines:

Here’s an extended look at the Caitlin Clark – Chennedy Carter incident, there was more to it than the shoulder check and Clark was clearly talking to her on the way back up the floor from the prior basket by Indiana pic.twitter.com/1XG1RyzTw4

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) June 1, 2024

Both Reese and Carter refused to apologize for the incident, with the former telling reporters she’s fine with “the bad guy role”, per GN Sports TV.

Speaking on the latest episode of FS1’s “Undisputed” program, Nichols looked at both sides of the Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark feud and said that folks should stop portraying each of their interactions as “an episode of The Kardashians.”

Angel Reese is right about her role in the W’s popularity surge & how Caitlin Clark can absolutely be the BIGGEST reason without being the ONLY reason. Now if some folks could just stop making every Angel/Caitlin interaction into an episode of The Kardashians, we’d be in business pic.twitter.com/NQni70LqMO

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 4, 2024

Nichols cited the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry in the ’80s, when the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics dominated the ’80s decade, when the two teams met in the finals three times. Nichols noted there was no talk about jealousy between the two, and such, it shouldn’t be that way in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese Meet Three More Times This Year

The first meeting between the Fever and Sky did not disappoint, with Clark leading Indiana to a 71-70 victory that marked her club’s first win at home.

Fans who are enjoying this rivalry won’t need to wait long for chapter two, as Indiana will again host Chicago on June 16. They will square off the Windy City seven days later on NBA TV, with their season series wrapping up in Chicago on Aug. 30.

Indeed, the rivalry at the WNBA level is truly just beginning.