In the third quarter, the anticipated Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark season opener felt like a rivalry. But by the final buzzer, it was clear that this matchup was not. Chicago got cooked. The Indiana Fever put on an absolute clinic, walking away with a 93-58 blowout, their fourth win over Chicago in five matchups across two seasons. While a lot went wrong for Sky. head coach Tyler Marsh pointed out the one major blunder his team just couldn’t recover from. Turns out, it was all mental.
But before we get to that, let’s have a look at how the game played out. Caitlin Clark dropped a 20-point triple-double and did it with the kind of composure you’d expect from a 10-year vet. Add 19 points and 12 boards from Aliyah Boston, plus 15 points from Natasha Howard. Meanwhile, Angel Reese wasn’t exactly silent. She notched a 12-point, 17-rebound double-double in her first official game back from a wrist injury. But she couldn’t carry the load solo. Especially not when tensions flared in the third quarter. Clark fouled Reese hard, and things got heated.
After review, the refs upgraded Clark’s foul to a flagrant, while Reese and Boston both got hit with techs. The “rivalry” energy we were all craving, it exploded. But so did the Fever’s lead. By the end of it, Indiana reminded everyone why they’re getting league-favorite buzz.
Postgame, when asked what went wrong, coach Marsh didn’t sugarcoat it. “I think we got stagnant,” he said. “When you look up at the scoreboard and you’re down by 20 or 30, you try to get it all back in a possession or two.” Not the shooting woes. Not the flagrant fouls. But the panic. The desperation to erase a huge lead instantly led to rushed shots and zero ball movement.
SPORTS-BKL-SKY-MARSH-TB New Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh answers questions at Wintrust Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Chicago. Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/TNS Chicago IL USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xChicagoxTribunex 126808111W EileenxT.xMeslarx krtphotoslive947257
And offensive stagnation has been a recurring issue over the past year. The team struggled with turnovers and poor shooting percentages, often resulting in late-game collapses.For instance, during a game against the Seattle Storm, the Sky committed 22 turnovers, which significantly contributed to their loss . These patterns of offensive stagnation were not isolated incidents or game specific, either. Throughout the season, the Sky’s offense was ranked near the bottom of the league. The lack of ball movement and over-reliance on individual plays often led to predictable and inefficient sets.
In this game, too, only two players, Reese and Ariel Atkins, could put up double-digit numbers. And it’s not like Chicago didn’t try. We actually saw Reese take on more than just a scoring role – bringing the ball up, initiating plays, opening up space that was never there last year. But none of it translated into buckets.
Despite weeks of talk about faster pace and better spacing, the Sky had their worst shooting game since 2018. Just 29.1% from the field, 6-for-27 from deep, 17 turnovers, and a measly 26 paint points. Part of that slump? Growing pains. Chicago is still trying to figure out a brand-new offensive system under Coach Marsh. Players looked like they were stuck in their own heads, overthinking every pass and cut instead of letting the game come to them.
And against a team like Indiana…that’s dangerous. “I think that’s where teams like Indiana can hurt you because they can they can get hot quickly,” coach Marsh admitted. And clearly, they did. With all the new faces the Fever brought in—and Stephanie White now calling the shots – it was fair to wonder how this team would click. But from what we saw, they’ve got options. A lot of them. They’re not playing hero ball either. Whoever’s hot? Gets fed. Simple as that.
However, before they even stepped onto the court, both Reese and Clark killed it with their pre-game fits.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s pregame fits were a whole other battle
While on the court the affair was a different thing, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark went head-to-head off it. It was clear these two were setting the tone in every way. Let’s start with Reese, because the Chi-Town Barbie understood the assignment. She stepped into Gainbridge Fieldhouse looking like she was walking a runway.
A tailored light gray blazer with matching high-waisted shorts. Add a crisp white shirt with peek-through cuffs, black glasses, a black handbag, and white crew socks with black heels and it was giving boss. The W even posted her fit with the caption, “She’s back and she’s ever so fly.” Now across the tunnel, Caitlin Clark took a whole different route. The Fever rookie rolled up to her first regular season game like she meant business – literally. A dark suit, sleek heels, and that signature all-focus-no-fluff energy. The WNBA’s caption said it best, “Caitlin Clark has arrived ” She really has.
Caitlin Clark has arrived
The 2024 WNBA ROTY is ready to kick off her sophomore campaign vs. the Chicago Sky at 3pm/ET on ABC! pic.twitter.com/pzRgSy92TC
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 17, 2025
Fashion aside, this game may have been a bit lopsided, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This was just Round One. These two teams will clash four more times this season, and if the energy from Saturday’s game is any indication, we’re in for more fiery moment.
Not to forget, what’s cooking long-term. With Indiana stacking up talent and Chicago making serious moves of their own, don’t be surprised if these squads find themselves facing off in the postseason. Saturday was about statements – on the court, in the tunnel, and in the energy. Are we’re ready for Round Two?
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