Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese: from rivals to winning partners
22 july 2024 в 21:13
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have gone from rivals to winning partners.
Two record-breaking rookies, both 22 years old, who exploded onto the Women’s NBA scene in the first half of the season, did the same at Footprint Center in Phoenix at the 2024 All-Star Game this weekend, helping their team secure a victory with a score of 117−109 against Team USA.
They even teamed up in one of the episodes, where Clark made an impressive no-look pass to Reese for an easy two points. After the shot, the former rivals high-fived each other as they ran down the court to get back on defense.
The highly anticipated competition was only the second of its kind, following the first meeting between the WNBA All-Star team and the Women’s National Team USA in 2021 before the Olympics in Tokyo.
Team USA was led by five-time Olympic champion Diana Taurasi, who, according to USA Today, opened the game with a strong three-point shot. However, the WNBA team immediately responded, almost tying the score by the end of the first quarter, scoring 23 points against USA’s 24 points. Clark, a 22-year-old guard from the Indiana Fever, was on fire, making three assists.
Reese recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in her All-Star debut, setting a league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles.
«Is this a surprise? I feel like I do this every night», - Reese said. «Expectations are set, and that’s what’s expected of me».
Clark set a rookie record with 10 assists in the game, one shy of the overall record set by Sue Bird in 2017.
Clark’s record-breaking pass went to the game’s top scorer, Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings. Ogunbowale scored 34 points and was named the MVP in a stunning performance.
«I just love to facilitate», - Clark said. «Honestly, sometimes it works better when they score, they take a breath for a second. I just want to set my teammates up for success… and I’m really proud of that».
The victory over Team USA came after the US Olympic team overlooked both Reese and Clark. The Fever star said she feels «no disappointment» about the roster decision and added that it gave her «something to work for».
«I'll be rooting for them to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, so it will be interesting to watch them», - she said. «Hopefully, in four years — when the time comes — I can be there»
Two record-breaking rookies, both 22 years old, who exploded onto the Women’s NBA scene in the first half of the season, did the same at Footprint Center in Phoenix at the 2024 All-Star Game this weekend, helping their team secure a victory with a score of 117−109 against Team USA.
They even teamed up in one of the episodes, where Clark made an impressive no-look pass to Reese for an easy two points. After the shot, the former rivals high-fived each other as they ran down the court to get back on defense.
The highly anticipated competition was only the second of its kind, following the first meeting between the WNBA All-Star team and the Women’s National Team USA in 2021 before the Olympics in Tokyo.
Team USA was led by five-time Olympic champion Diana Taurasi, who, according to USA Today, opened the game with a strong three-point shot. However, the WNBA team immediately responded, almost tying the score by the end of the first quarter, scoring 23 points against USA’s 24 points. Clark, a 22-year-old guard from the Indiana Fever, was on fire, making three assists.
Reese recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in her All-Star debut, setting a league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles.
«Is this a surprise? I feel like I do this every night», - Reese said. «Expectations are set, and that’s what’s expected of me».
Clark set a rookie record with 10 assists in the game, one shy of the overall record set by Sue Bird in 2017.
Clark’s record-breaking pass went to the game’s top scorer, Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings. Ogunbowale scored 34 points and was named the MVP in a stunning performance.
«I just love to facilitate», - Clark said. «Honestly, sometimes it works better when they score, they take a breath for a second. I just want to set my teammates up for success… and I’m really proud of that».
The victory over Team USA came after the US Olympic team overlooked both Reese and Clark. The Fever star said she feels «no disappointment» about the roster decision and added that it gave her «something to work for».
«I'll be rooting for them to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, so it will be interesting to watch them», - she said. «Hopefully, in four years — when the time comes — I can be there»
© Artemenko Olga
