Fans are starting to see how Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese can play together for Team USA -Credit:Getty Images
(Getty Images)
Team USA has found that having Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on the same roster does work, as the two stars complement each other on the court and elevate the team’s overall performance.
Clark contributed 14 points and six assists as Team USA cruised past New Zealand 101–46 at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament on Sunday. The two-time WNBA All-Star and 2024 Rookie of the Year made her first start of the tournament, helping lead the United States to a fourth consecutive victory and maintain an unbeaten record with one round-robin game remaining.
Meanwhile, Reese recorded five points and seven rebounds in under 14 minutes of play. It comes after a new photo of Clark and Reese hinted at reconciliation after an awkward moment.
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Clark and Reese share one of basketball’s most notorious rivalries, yet they put it aside to play together on the national team, much to fans’ delight. Fans took to social media to show how the pair work well together.
One X user said: “Recently fans have been trying to pit Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese against each other. There is no need for that as they both dominate on the court!”
Clark and Reese have consistently challenged the narrative of a rivalry between them, explaining that much of the tension is driven by fans and outside speculation, not by the players themselves.
Both stars stress that they have mutual respect, and the intensity on the court comes from their competitive drive and love of the game, not personal animosity.
In Team USA’s first game of the tournament against Senegal, Clark supported Reese during a heated exchange with the referee. Reese also showed support for Clark during the game, seen in a viral photo helping her up alongside Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
Clark, Reese, and Bueckers made their senior debuts for Team USA this month, joining a roster of seasoned national team veterans and Olympic gold medalists, including Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Kahleah Copper, for a five-game qualifying run in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Despite their well-documented rivalry, Clark and Reese quickly showed their impact as teammates.
In the closing seconds of the first quarter, Reese set a screen at the top of the key and rolled to the basket, creating space for Clark.
The Indiana Fever star kept control and drained a stepback three, giving the Americans a 16-point lead. While a routine play for both, fans were thrilled to see the pair working together instead of facing off.
Fans hope Clark and Reese’s chemistry will keep improving as they become regulars for Team USA.
In Group B, only the U.S. and Spain remain undefeated through three games, meeting in the final qualifier on Tuesday.