WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark expressed her sympathy after learning about fellow rookie Angel Reese’s season-ending injury. Clark, who has been a standout in her first season with the Indiana Fever, called the news “sad” and acknowledged the impressive accomplishments Reese had made in her rookie year with the Chicago Sky.
Reese, a former LSU standout, took to social media to announce her injury on Saturday, while the Sky confirmed that a wrist injury had forced her to prematurely end her first professional season.
“It’s obviously, definitely sad anytime you see anybody go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with,” Clark said in response to Reese’s announcement. “Whether it was Cam [Brink], whether it was Angel, and especially Angel. Like, you want to see her finish out this year. She’s had a historic year and she’s done some incredible things.”
Although fans and media have often cast Clark and Reese as rivals, the two rookies have maintained mutual respect. Their names have been linked since their time dominating college basketball, but both players have shown admiration for each other on and off the court.
Reese ended her rookie season averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, setting a new WNBA single-season record for rebounds. She also broke the rookie record for double-doubles, finishing with 26, solidifying her place as one of the league’s most promising young players.
“For me, getting to play against her, her motor is up there, if not the best in the league. Like, she just doesn’t stop working,” Clark said, praising Reese’s relentless work ethic. “Congratulations to her. I thought she had a tremendous year and did what she’s always done well. It’s definitely devastating. That’s never anything you want to see from a player.”
Caitlin Clark on Angel Reese’s season-ending wrist injury:
“It’s definitely sad whenever you see anyone go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with … she’s had a historic year, and she’s done some incredible things.” pic.twitter.com/CY3GTqdIeB
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) September 8, 2024
Clark also pointed out that the 2023 rookie class has been hit hard by injuries, with Reese’s wrist injury being the latest blow. Still, the admiration Clark holds for Reese was clear, and her words of encouragement reflected the respect the two rising stars share for each other.
Reese’s injury occurred during Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, and the 2023 season was cut short just as Reese was establishing herself as one of the most dominant forces in the league.
In her social media post, Reese reflected on her season: “What a year. I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3, but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2 lol.”
With Reese’s bright future and Clark continuing to break records, both players remain central to the growing interest in women’s basketball, a movement they helped propel during their college careers and now continue in the WNBA.
