Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese dazzle in WNBA All-Star Game debuts

Team WNBA emerged victorious at the WNBA All-Star Game, facing off against Team USA prior to their trip across the pond to Paris. A competitive game for all four quarters, a lot of people tuned in to see the rookie duo — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — in action on the same team. Both wound up dazzling the Phoenix crowd and put up solid performances.

Clark was a starter and despite only scoring four points on 2-9 shooting (including 0-7 from the three-point line), the Indiana Fever star’s passing is what will make headlines. She finished with a game-high 10 assists, accounting for a third of Team WNBA’s dimes.

While Reese came off the bench, she did exactly what she has done since being drafted into the WNBA — destroy on the glass. Double-doubles have become a common occurrence in Chicago and the same was true wearing an all-star jersey. Reese had 12 points with 11 rebounds, five of which were offensive.

Considering what all-star games across the country have become, a competitive game played out on Saturday night. Reese said Team WNBA wanted to give Team USA a good test ahead of the Summer Olympics and maybe something to think about.

An opportunity to showcase talent for future USA teams was certainly on display as well.

“I just wanted to leave me mark,” Reese said with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “One day, I want to be able to be a USA member, I want to be able to be with that team. So, it’s an honor to come out and play against them. Coming off the bench, I wanted to bring as much energy as I could.”

This was the first time we had seen Clark and Reese share the floor together. A rivalry has brewed between them, dating back to college, and moving into the WNBA. Tense moments have certainly taken place but all in competitive spirit.

Reese enjoyed playing alongside Clark, somebody she is battling for WNBA Rookie of the Year. Those 10 assists were impressive in Reese’s mind.

“It’s so cool, when she gets the ball I’m running looking for the ball because I know she’s gonna throw it,” Reese said during an in-game interview with ESPN during the first half. “So, she’s been great to play with. I mean, the future — we’re going to be playing with each other a lot. Hopefully, in 4 years we’ll be Olympians together.”