Angel Reese reveals how her heated rivalry with Caitlin Clark helps build on-court chemistry as teammates

Costanza Verona Italien, 08 im Zweikampf mit Caitlin Clark USA, 12, GER, Italien vs. USA, Basketball, FIBA Women s World Cup 2026, Gruppenphase, Spieltag 2, 06.09.2026 GER, Italien vs. USA, Basketball, FIBA Women s World Cup 2026, Gruppenphase, Spieltag 2, 06.09.2026 Berlin *** Costanza Verona, Italy, No. 8, in a one-on-one matchup with Caitlin Clark, USA, No. 12, GER, Italy vs. USA, Basketball, 2026 FIBA Womens World Cup, Group Stage, Matchday 2, September 6, 2026, GER, Italy vs. USA, Basketball, 2026 FIBA Womens World Cup, Group Stage, Matchday 2, September 6, 2026, Berlin Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/MaxxVincenx EP_MVN Credit - Imago

Originally posted on HerSportsNation | By Deblina Roy | Last updated Sep 10, 2026 2:23 PM ET

As Team USA marched towards the semifinals after handing Hungary a blowout 108-56 defeat, Angel Reese shared what keeps things going between her and Caitlin Clark on the court.

“We’ve played against each other so many times,” Reese told the reporters postgame, per an X clip posted by Underdog WNBA on September 10, 2026. “So, I’m sure we know each other’s game, like the back of each other’s hand. (I was) just easily dishing it off to her; she dishes it off to me.”

Amid Clark’s 10-point, 9-assist and Reese’s 9-point, 6-rebound game, their passes to each other stood out the most. The W League’s rebounding leader (12.4), Reese, had 3 assists, and most of those Clark turned into buckets.

2026 World Cup Qualifying Tournament – USA V Spain Angel Reese 9 of the United States plays during the game at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament between the United States and Spain in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 17, 2026, at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot. San Juan Puerto Rico PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xEdgardoxMedinax originalFilename:medinamillan-notitle260317_npdtu.jpg Credit - Imago

From the AAU circuit to their respective times at Iowa and LSU, Clark and Reese’s competitive fuel has kept even the W hardwood warm. And this years-long rivalry has played a role in their on-court chemistry in Berlin as well, something they’ll need for the longer run.

“She knows my slides. So I kind of got one to her today, or maybe two,” Reese added to the same X clip. “So, it’s fun. We just continue to build chemistry because we know we’re going to be USA teammates for a while.”

And Clark is on the same page as Reese regarding this.

Both WNBA stars had a physical exchange during a mid-August matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream. But none of it ever led to bad blood. If anything, the Fever guard lives for this competition and clash with the Dream forward.

“We’re both fiery competitors. And we want to win,” Clark said of Reese, per an article written by Athlon Sports’ Rodney Knuppel. “It’s one of the things I really admire about her game … She has one of the best motors in the league … So it’s been fun to be able to play with her.”

What demands attention and draws a massive audience in the W is winning the games in Berlin. The semifinals on September 12 will determine what more Reese and Clark have to show.