ESPN REACTS: "CAITLIN CLARK HAS SECURED ROTY OVER ANGEL REESE!" AS FEVER DEFEAT CHICAGO SKY 100-81

the fever as they win 100 to 81 their largest margin of victory Of The Year Angel Reese 23rd double double of the season a rookie record 10 points 11 boards but Kelsey Mitchell was spectacular for the fever of 23 points Melissa Smith down low also 14- s great defense from Lexi Hull of course Chicago without their star guard Kennedy Carter time now to bring in CBS Sports WNBA andless T Foster brasby to discuss the fever just handling the sky on Friday so Caitlyn as we talked about went off for a career high 31 Angel sets another record uh but the fever win the season series 3 to one what stood out to you the most from this game I really love the way that Indiana has figured out how to pick it up defensively I think one of the biggest criticisms that you could have had about this team when they met in June and all three of those previous matchups were in June is that they really didn't do the best of jobs defensively they were still allowing Angel to get off on the paint um in that third matchup angel had 25 points and 16 boards Kennedy Carter had 23 points she was attacking the basket um it was very difficult for them to get some paint presence from the defensive end tonight they very much have a bank presence on the defensive end um this fever team is really playing a a style of basketball that is dangerous as we look towards going into the postseason they were crashing the boards they were shooting the ball incredibly well they were really making it difficult I know that angel Reese has a double double but it was like last minute that she was able to notch that double double because they were giving her and Camila Koso some some some some some trouble down their inside in the pain so I love what I'm seeing from this Indiana team as it relates to picking it up defensively so they're picking up defensively and that's something that Christy sides has stressed before in the past and right now they're clicking on that end as well as on the offensive end but when it comes to Rookie of the Year I know it's gotten blown out of proportion so many times tarica um but who would you pick right now yeah right now I've got to give the edge to Caitlyn Clark I mean not only is she playing incredibly well but she's one of the catalysts for her team playing incredibly well I look at someone like Kelsey Mitchell who has been phenomenal since this season uh has returned from the Olympic break and one of the reasons that she's able to get open and play so well is because she has a true point guard and Kaitlin Clark who's done a great job of getting her the ball of drawing the of drawing the attention of creating some space allowing Kelsey Mitchell to really do what she does well and they figured out how to play with each other Kaylin Clark has honestly shown up and shown out since this Olympic break she has also taken the time to really understand her teammates their mannerisms their characteristics and it has allowed them to play more in rhythm at this moment I'm I am giving the edge to Caitlyn Clark in the Rookie of the Year race and games like tonight help to make that case 100% yeah I'm with you I think kitlin Clark deserved the Rookie of the Year based on the way she's played especially in the second half of the season but also the tail end of that first half angel special season as well but when it comes to the fever and their postseason Outlook tarica they're right now in sixth place they hold the tiebreaker over the Mercury how far do you think they can go in the postseason of course depending on who they get with that third seat well yeah it definitely does depend on what happens and who ends up where um you know I was on the call for that Indiana Connecticut game earlier in the week and it was a potential playoff preview at the time Connecticut held the the two seed at the time uh Indiana held the seven seed and so just getting a look at that was very scary um I think that this fever team um is hot at the right time I think they're clicking at the right time I think their chemistry is playing well into their favor and the good thing about it is that they have a couple more matchups that can really test them they've gotten some very convincing win over some plus 500 teams and that's going to be great for your confidence as you are moving towards the playoff picture as it relates to Chicago however I don't know it's difficult to say whether or not they will remain in the playoff picture but I'm going to say yes and I'm going to say yes Chris only because I strongly believe that they have some matchups coming coming up here in this last final couple of weeks that can really tell the story one of which is against Atlanta and Atlanta is the team that is currently trying to fight for that number eight spot but I also want to say Washington is not mathematically eliminated and they're a team that you might want to keep your eye out on as we look towards down the stretch of who could be vying for that number eight spot so I'm 5050 on Chicago they're in there now Chris but I don't know for how long if they can't find a way to get some offense on the board well I definitely know this uh they want Kennedy Carter back sooner than later because she provides so much for them when it comes to scoring and spacing tqa fosta brasby always a pleasure talking to you well the matchup on the W slate tonight the fourth and final meeting between the fever and Sky also known as Caitlyn Clark versus Angel re each of these games have come down to the wire with the two of the previous three being decided by a single point after the fever won the first two games Angel Reese and the sky mounted their largest comeback of the season for an 8887 win at home back on June 23rd when you take a look at the standings as we are just a few weeks out from the playoffs the fever enter the day is the seventh seed a half game behind the Mercury the sky two and a half games back of Indiana the dream actually visit the aces tonight and they can move into a tie for the eight seed if the sky drop another one Rebecca Lobo previewed this matchup on the L Duncan show yesterday oh hey but these are two teams that are going in very different directions Indiana has won four of five Chicago has lost five of six um and part part of it is because of the marina ma trade you know Chicago chose to to trade Marino mabri away right before the Olympic break she was at the time one of only three double- digit scorers she's gone now they only have two double digit digit scores and Kennedy Carter and Angel ree so I think it's going to be really tough if Indiana has what's become now a typical offensive night um if Lexi Hull's making threes if Kelsey Mitchell continues her ridiculous play of 20o games I think it's going to be hard for Chicago to score enough points we are on the scene with our WNBA reporter Alexa philippo who joins us now live from the court there in Chicago Alexa what are this guys saying about what they have to improve on in order to snap this four game losing streak L the focus here in Chicago from the sky has been they have to execute when the games are down the line and they're clutch and they're in close and that's really been the issue for them that these last three games in particular they've lost no games by a combined eight points and that's just so tough when the margin for error in this league is so slim so for Teresa Weatherspoon she's really looking for defensive discipline but also thinking about what they have to do in the offensive end too they don't have Kennedy Carter tonight that's a huge loss for their offense and so they really have to be intentional about the how they move the ball on offense and being careful about not turning the ball over too much Yeah you mentioned it a huge loss Carter leads Chicago with over 17 points a game the only person that averages double to on the team is Angel Reese and while the sky are struggling the fever are on an absolute tear winning four of five since the Olympic break Alexa what's Indiana's Focus right now well for as good as their offense has been the focus is still defense defense defense and if you remember that was really a huge issue for them at the beginning of the season they were ranking last in that category and Chrissy sides told me today she's hoping they can be around seventh or eighth place in defense by the time all said and done at the league and and really making sure that that can compliment the red hot offense so look to see how they do tonight against Chicago in that area but also when it comes to this game in particular they are just trying to focus on the game at hand they don't want all the hoopla surrounding this night because it is Barbie night as you can see all the pink in the arena and I have actually a Barbie here that uh they're giving out to Media members so big night for the Rivalry for Angel Reese and and Barbie but uh the fever want to make sure they take care of what's going on in between the four lines tonight I love that the bou Barbie analyzing the Caitlyn Clark Angel Reese rivalry media hype or Genuine competition in the World of Sports rivalries are the fuel that drives fan engagement ignites passion and adds layers of drama to the narratives we love to follow however not every rivalry that Garners attention is rooted in genuine competition and the ongoing Buzz surrounding Katlin Clark and Angel Reese in the WNBA is a perfect example of this phenomenon as highlighted by Dallas Wings guard arri ouno the Rivalry between these two Rising Stars may be more of a media creation than an authentic Feud let's break down the elements at play here and explore whether the Rivalry between Clark and Reese is as significant as it seems the origins of the Clark Reese rivalry the supposed rivalry between Caitlyn Clark a dynamic guard for the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese a dominant forward for the Chicago sky can be traced back to their college days both players were standout stars in the NCAA leading their respective teams Clark with the Iowa Hawkeyes and Reese with the LSU Tigers through intense and high stakes matchups the 2023 NCAA Women's Championship game where Reese's LSU triumphed over Clark's Iowa served as a flash point for the animosity that many believe exists between the two the tension was seemingly reignited in the 2024 Elite 8 and has since carried over into their WNBA careers yet according to Ogen baale this narrative is largely a media fabrication she points out that Clark and Reese play entirely different positions Clark as a guard and Reese as a post player and have rarely if ever directly matched up against each other on the court this observation challenges the idea that they are locked in a heated rivalry as their roles on the court do not naturally lend themselves to direct competition media's role in shaping perceptions oun bal's comments underscore a crucial aspect of modern sports culture the media's power to shape and sometimes distort narratives by Framing Clark and Reese as bitter Rivals the media has managed to capture the Public's attention driving up viewership and creating a story line that extends beyond the court this narrative is compelling because it Taps into the Timeless appeal of rivalries David versus Goliath Goliath Magic versus bird Ali versus Frasier but in this case the Rivalry may be more fiction than fact the media's influence is further evident in the way games between the fever and Sky have been promoted and covered as noted two of the three matchups between these teams this season have garnered the highest viewership for a WNBA regular season game in over two decades this spike in interest is a testament to the power of Storytelling in sports fans are drawn to the drama the tension and the possibility of witnessing history in the making however if the Rivalry is more of a media construct it raises questions about the authenticity of the competition were being sold respect between competitors one of the most telling aspects of this situation is the respect that exists between Clark and REE as highlighted by oun Bali despite the onc court drama and postgame comments that have fueled speculation both players reportedly hold each other in high regard this mutual respect is often overlooked in favor of the more sensationalized elements of their interactions comments taken out of context heated moments during games or perceived slights oun Bale's perspective offers a refreshing reminder that at the end of the day these athletes are professionals who recognize and appreciate each other's talents the respect they share is a far cry from the Cutthroat rivalry that the media portrays it's a dynamic that is common among top tier athletes who understand the pressures of performing at the highest level and the sacrifices required to reach the Pinnacle of their sport impact on the WNBA regardless of whether the Clark Reese rivalry is real or imagined there's no denying its impact on the WNBA The increased attention has brought more eyes to the league boosting its visibility and by extension its growth the WNBA has long sought to expand its fan base and Elevate its status in the crowded Sports landscape and storylines like this one even if partially contrived play a crucial role in achieving that goal however it's important to strike a balance between creating compelling narratives and staying true to the authentic stories within the sport the WNBA is home to incredible athletes each with their own unique Journeys and rivalries elevating these genuine stories can help the league continue to grow in a way that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers alike in conclusion the Caitlyn Clark Angel ree rivalry serves as a fascinating case study in the intersection of sports media and public perception while the media has successfully crafted a narrative that has captivated fans and driven viewership it's crucial to remember that the reality on the ground may be far less dramatic than the stories were being told as ARA ouno aptly put it the Rivalry may be more about hype than genuine competition for fans of the sport this doesn't diminish the excitement of watching Mar and Reese compete at the highest level but it does offer a reminder to approach these narratives with a critical eye recognizing the role that media plays in shaping our understanding of the game whether the Rivalry is real or not one thing is certain Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese are two of the brightest young stars in the WNBA and their performances on the court not the media hype should be the true measure of their legacies don't forget to like this video And subscribe subcribe to our Channel sport news today fan this way you won't miss any updates about your favorite team