Key Takeaways
- The Incident: Video surfaced showing Caitlin Clark appearing to bypass Angel Reese’s extended hand during a substitution.
- Record Breaker: Despite the drama, Angel Reese set a new U.S. record for rebounds in a Women’s World Cup qualifier.
- The Result: Team USA dominated Puerto Rico 91-48, moving to 2-0 in the tournament.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The red, white, and blue jersey wasn’t enough to thaw the ice. During Team USA’s 91-48 blowout victory over Puerto Rico on Thursday, a fleeting sideline moment between superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese set social media ablaze, proving their storied rivalry remains as polarized as ever.
The Handshake That Wasn’t
The clip, captured by BrickCenter, shows the Indiana Fever guard checking back into the game with 4:56 remaining in the second quarter. As Clark moved down the sideline to high-five teammates, Reese stood with her hand visibly extended. Clark appeared to look away, walking in the opposite direction to take her spot on the floor. The interaction lasted less than two seconds, but the internet has spent the last 48 hours dissecting every frame.
While some fans call it a blatant snub, others argue Clark was simply locked into the game flow. Regardless of intent, the optics did little to quiet the narrative of “bad blood” that began during the 2023 NCAA Championship game.
By the Numbers: Efficiency vs. Struggles
On the court, the two stars had vastly different nights. Reese was a force in the paint, while Clark struggled to find her rhythm against Puerto Rico’s physical defense.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Reese | 10 | 13 | 1 | 4-7 |
| Caitlin Clark | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2-6 |
Reese’s 13 rebounds didn’t just lead the team—they set a new U.S. record for a Women’s World Cup qualifying game. Clark, meanwhile, finished with just 8 points in 18 minutes of action, uncharacteristic for the WNBA’s leading perimeter threat.
What They Said
“We’re here for one goal: to win gold. Everything else is just noise. We play for each other and for the country.”
— Angel Reese on the Team USA dynamic post-game
“The chemistry is a work in progress. When you put this much talent in one room, it takes time to mesh. We’re focused on the basketball.”
— Head Coach Cheryl Reeve
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This win moves Team USA to 2-0 in the qualifying tournament, essentially punching their ticket to the main stage. However, the chemistry between Clark and Reese remains the primary storyline heading into Saturday’s matchup against Italy. If the U.S. wants to maintain its global dominance, these two icons must figure out how to coexist—or at least finish a high-five.
