Angel Reese posts a cryptic message after losing to Caitlin Clark and fans rip her apart: She pays your salary

The Fever topped the Sky 71-70

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As many suspected it would, the NCAA rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has spilled over into the WNBA — confirmed with an intense game between Clark‘s Indiana Fever and Reese‘s Chicago Sky. But as it was in college, Reese has been subjected anew to online abuse following a tight game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The latest controversy centers on an off-ball foul on Clark, a hard shove thrown by Sky guard Chennedy Carter late in the third quarter. Reese’s apparent support for the foul sent fans into a frenzy, especially after the Fever held on to win by a single point.

Reese endures more hate on social media

After the Fever’s 71-70 victory over the Sky on Saturday afternoon, Reese posted an unusual caption under a two-photo Instagram post which read “give yourself some grace. you’re doing great sweetie!” Fans quickly attacked Reese for the seemingly-innocuous post, many still upset that she stood up and applauded Carter’s shove on Clark.

One fan commented that Reese and other Sky players should not seek to injure Clark, as she “pays your team’s salary” — a reference to the former Iowa star’s role in elevating the WNBA’s status in the North American sports league pecking order. Another said that Reese “showed her true colors” on Saturday, while another told her to “go back to LSU” and one more read “the jealousy has to stop, it’s obvious now.”

The Carter shoulder check — and Reese’s hyped reaction to it — comes amidst a debate over whether the WNBA is doing enough to protect Clark, the prized rookie whom many consider to be the future of the W and of women’s basketball itself. Fever coach Christie Sides and Clark herself feel the guard is getting “hammered” by opposing players. Hardcore WNBA fans believe refereeing in the league has not been at an acceptable standard for many years, and the Clark controversy further bolsters their case.

It remains to be seen what commissioner Cathy Engelbert, coming under scrutiny as the league embarks a new era, will do about an increasingly-fraught situation facing the nascent superstar Clark — or about the invective that continues to come Reese’s way.

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ALIYAH BOSTON AND CAITLIN CLARK DISCUSS SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL HEALTH! FANTASTIC ANSWERS, WORTH THE LISTEN

Caitlin Clark is one of the biggest superstars in American sports.

With that popularity comes a lot of great positives for the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick — but it also comes with some serious negatives.

Clark is constantly hounded by fans and media, making it hard to live the normal life she once knew.

“Honestly, I feel like I talk to the media more than I get to talk to my own family … which is really kind of sad, in a way,” Clark said during a press conference earlier this week. “It’s a lot for somebody that’s 22 years old. It can be tough at times.”

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Clark’s entrance into the WNBA has been met with unprecedented fanfare. Continuing what started during her record-breaking collegiate career at Iowa, the Indiana Fever rookie is constantly scrutinized by fans and media alike.

This pressure is clearly weighing on Clark, but she’s handling her new normal with some serious grace.

May 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) smiles as she heads down court after a 3-point basket in the final seconds of the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.

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Clark and the Fever will face off against the Los Angeles Sparks in their next matchup on Tuesday evening.

With a couple days rest before then, hopefully Clark can carve out some much-needed free time to spend with her family.

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CAITLIN CLARK, KATE MARTIN’S POSTGAME INTERACTION WITH IOWA COACH HITS THE INTERNET

On Saturday, former Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball teammates Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin faced off for the first time in the WNBA as the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever by a final score of 99-80.

Clark and Martin shared the court for Iowa for four seasons, enduring many ups and downs as teammates. They won many conference tournaments but also lost two NCAA Women’s College Basketball Championships together.

After the game on Saturday, Clark and Martin were seen with their former Iowa coach Jen Janson. The three were having a long conversation with each other right outside the locker rooms.

Iowa president Barbara Wilson hugs Caitlin Clark, left, and Kate Martin during a celebration of the Iowa women’s basketball team Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

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A video of the three Hawkeyes was posted on social media by Vegas Sports Today.