The WNBA is heating up, social media is on fire, and fans are fiercely divided—but according to ESPN’s outspoken analyst Stephen A. Smith, the so-called rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is being blown way out of proportion.

“Let me be very clear,” Stephen A. said on a recent episode of First Take. “There is no real rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese—not yet. What we have is the media turning two competitive young women into a headline because it makes noise.”

His words immediately sparked debate, but his point deserves a closer look.

What Sparked the Talk?

The latest wave of drama started after a hard foul on Caitlin Clark by Chennedy Carter of the Chicago Sky. While Angel Reese wasn’t the one who committed the foul, her visible reaction from the bench—clapping, smiling, and cheering—thrust her back into the spotlight and reignited the narrative of a “feud” with Clark.

This, of course, goes back to the 2023 NCAA National Championship Game, when Reese famously taunted Clark after LSU’s win over Iowa. Since then, every interaction—on or off the court—between these two stars has been magnified.

Stephen A.: “This Is Media-Created, Not Player-Driven”

On First Take, Stephen A. pushed back on the idea that Clark and Reese are enemies, or even locked in a true rivalry yet.

“You need competition to have a rivalry, yes—but you also need stakes. Championships. History. Right now, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are rookies on two young teams just trying to figure it out.”’

He also noted that both players have shown mutual respect in interviews, rarely mentioning each other unless prompted.

“People want beef, but these young ladies are just trying to play ball. That’s it,” he added.

Chiney Ogwumike & Monica McNutt See It Differently

Other ESPN analysts like Chiney Ogwumike and Monica McNutt acknowledge there’s tension—but argue that tension isn’t a bad thing.

“It’s not personal. It’s competitive,” Ogwumike said. “And that’s exactly what the WNBA needs—stars going at each other, pushing each other, making the game more exciting.”

McNutt added:

“Call it a rivalry, call it hype—but what matters is that fans are paying attention. That’s good for women’s basketball.”

So, Is It a Rivalry or Not?

The truth may lie somewhere in the middle.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are two of the most followed athletes in the WNBA right now. Every time they step on the floor, viewership spikes. Every gesture becomes a meme. Every quote goes viral. That kind of attention creates the illusion of a rivalry—even if the players themselves aren’t fueling it.

Reese recently said, “People can make it what they want. At the end of the day, I’m just competing.”
Clark echoed, “I’m focused on my team. We’re just trying to get wins.”

Stephen A.’s Bottom Line: Let the Game Speak

Stephen A. Smith’s take is simple: don’t force a rivalry—let it grow naturally. If both players continue to rise, meet in the playoffs, or clash in bigger moments, then we’ll have something real.

Until then?

“It’s just basketball. Let these women play without turning everything into a soap opera.”