Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were supposed to be one of basketball’s biggest rivalries. Instead, their latest Team USA run is giving fans something they rarely get to see: the 2 stars on the same side, finding each other on the court and enjoying every minute of it.
Their chemistry became impossible to ignore again on Thursday, when Team USA crushed Hungary 108-56 to reach the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup semifinals. Clark finished with 10 points and 9 assists, while Reese added 9 points and 6 rebounds. But beyond the numbers, their growing connection has become one of the most intriguing stories in Berlin.
Clark and Reese share Team USA chemistry
Clark and Reese are playing together at their first FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Clark is a guard, while Reese is a forward, and both have embraced reserve roles for Team USA during the tournament.
Head coach Kara Lawson has relied on an experienced starting group while using Clark and Reese off the bench. Clark has provided playmaking and scoring, while Reese has contributed rebounding, defense, and interior play. Their different strengths have given Team USA another combination to use throughout the tournament.
The pairing also gives fans a rare opportunity to watch 2 of the WNBA’s biggest stars share the same jersey. Their growing chemistry has become one of the most closely watched storylines surrounding Team USA in Berlin.
A behind-the-back assist stuns fans
Team USA faced Czechia in its third group-stage game on September 7. The Americans pulled away for a 105-64 victory, with 6 players scoring in double figures. Clark and Reese also connected on a play that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the game.
Clark attacked the defense and found Reese near the basket, with the connection drawing attention online. Clark finished with 9 points and 7 assists in 22 minutes, while Reese added 13 points and 6 rebounds. Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 19 points and 7 rebounds as the Americans improved to 3-0 in Group D.
The viral clip sparks quick fan reactions
Clips of the assist spread quickly across social media platforms. Many fans praised the chemistry between 2 players once seen as bitter rivals. Comment sections were filled with jokes about world peace between the 2 stars.
One fan wrote that kindness might finally prevail after the tournament ends. Another said the pairing proved their rivalry was mostly a media creation. Supporters from both fan bases seemed to enjoy the lighthearted moment together.
Reese later greeted Clark with a friendly dab during a media session. The gesture drew attention from fans, given the pair’s competitive history. It added another layer to a tournament full of unexpected moments.
Old rivalry meets a new team goal
The rivalry between Clark and Reese became a major national storyline during the 2023 national championship game. Reese celebrated in front of Clark after LSU defeated Iowa for the title. The moment launched both players into a new level of fame.
Their competition continued once both players entered the WNBA in 2024. Games between their teams often included hard fouls and heated exchanges. Fans on each side treated every matchup like a personal battle.
The World Cup put that history aside for a shared national goal. Clark recently said many stories about their relationship were simply false. Reese has said the 2 share mutual respect built over many years.
Fans split over the surprising friendship
Not everyone welcomed the friendly moment between the 2 stars. Some fans accused the players of performing for the cameras. Others insisted the rivalry should stay alive for the sake of ratings.
Reese has said in the past that some of Clark’s fans crossed a line. She described facing ugly comments that she believes were rooted in racism. Clark has said she does not support that kind of behavior from anyone.
Sports analyst Ryan Ruocco recently said the league has a real problem to solve. He argued that fans and media focus too much on only 2 players. That imbalance can make it harder for other WNBA stars to get noticed.
Fun fact: Caitlin Clark dished 11 assists with zero turnovers in her World Cup debut win over China on September 4.
Team USA dominates Czechia in Berlin
The win over Czechia came one day after a tense 3-point victory over Italy. Team USA struggled offensively in that 55-52 game, shooting just 29% from the field before producing a much stronger performance against Czechia.
The Americans shot 53% from the field in the 105-64 victory, with 6 players scoring in double figures. Breanna Stewart led the team with 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Angel Reese added 13 points and 6 rebounds.
The victory gave Team USA a 3-0 record in Group D and sent the Americans into the knockout stage. Team USA later defeated Hungary 108-56 in the quarterfinals on September 10, advancing to the semifinals, where it will face Spain on September 12.
Growing pains still test the WNBA
The Clark and Reese rivalry has helped push WNBA ratings to new heights. Both players draw massive television audiences whenever they share the court. That attention has turned into real financial growth for the entire league.
Yet some longtime fans worry the constant focus on 2 players limits others. Analysts have called for more balanced coverage of the full WNBA roster. Toxic comments from parts of both fan bases have also drawn criticism.
League officials continue to face pressure to address online harassment of players. Many observers say growth and division are now occurring simultaneously.
Once the tournament ends, both players are expected to return to their WNBA teams, with the regular season scheduled to resume on September 17. The Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream have both clinched playoff spots, setting the stage for another meeting between Clark and Reese once they return to league play.
For now, the 2 stars are focused on playing together for Team USA. Both have spoken positively about their chemistry and have pushed back against assumptions that their competitive relationship is personal.
TL;DR
- Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are teammates on Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
- Their connection during a 105-64 win over Czechia became a viral moment as fans watched the 2 former rivals develop chemistry.
- Their competitive history became a national storyline during the 2023 NCAA championship game and continued into the WNBA.
- Some analysts, including Ryan Ruocco, have argued that the WNBA receives too much coverage focused on Clark and Reese compared with other players.
- Team USA defeated Hungary 108-56 in the quarterfinals and will face Spain in the semifinals on September 12. Clark and Reese are expected to return to WNBA play after the World Cup.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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