Caitlin Clark gets LeBron James’ backing after beating Angel Reese on Saturday

Caitlin Clark dropped a triple-double in the Indiana Fever’s blowout win over Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky — and LeBron James made sure to show her love before and after the game

LeBron James and Caitlin Clark met up after the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Indiana Pacers (Image: Instagram )

Caitlin Clark’s stellar WNBA season debut caught the attention of NBA royalty. After leading the Indiana Fever to a dominant 93–58 win over Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on opening night, Clark received high praise from LeBron James, who publicly backed the rookie star before and after the game.

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James, who posted a photo with Clark prior to tip-off on Instagram, offered words of encouragement, writing: “Good luck and DO YOU per usual this season!!!” Hours later, Clark delivered, notching the first triple-double of her professional career — 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists — and helping the Fever to their first win of the season. The NBA legend didn’t wait long to recognize the performance. On X, James tweeted: “TRIPLE DUB CC!! Great way to kick off the season!”

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It was a night that had everything — a dominant win, a triple-double, and even a tense moment between two of the WNBA’s most talked-about rookies. Midway through the third quarter, Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese, shoving her to the ground after an offensive rebound. Angel Reese received a technical foul, and the contact was upgraded to a flagrant 1.

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But Clark brushed off the idea that it was anything more than a physical play.

“Let’s not make it something that it’s not,” she said after the game.

“It was just a good play on the basketball. I’m not sure what the ref saw to upgrade it, and that’s up to their discretion.

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“It’s a take foul to put them at the free throw line. I’ve watched a lot of basketball in my life, that’s exactly what it was. I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am.”

Reese, meanwhile, referred to the play as “a basketball play” and did not escalate the situation in her post-game comments.

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The rivalry between Clark and Reese traces back to the 2023 NCAA Championship, when Reese’s LSU Tigers defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in a highly publicized showdown.

Since then, the pair have remained centerpieces of the women’s basketball landscape — now as professionals.

Yet on this night, Clark’s performance — and the attention it drew from one of the biggest stars in sports — took center stage.

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James’ public support signals just how closely the basketball world is watching the Fever rookie as she transitions into the pro game.

Indiana’s next matchup is against the Atlanta Dream, where Clark will look to build on her explosive debut.

With the season just getting started, her growing connection with fans, legends, and headlines alike suggests that more memorable nights are on the way.

The 2025 WNBA season tipped off with some controversy following the opening weekend’s slate of games.

On Saturday, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever defeated Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky 93-58 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Clark and Reese got into it with one another during the third quarter after the Fever guard shoved Reese to the floor. The former LSU forward took exception to this and had some words for Clark before the two were separated.

However, on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the game’s conclusion, the WNBA revealed they are investigating fan comments that were reportedly directed toward Reese.

“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms – they have no place in our league or in society,” the WNBA wrote. “We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

During the Fever’s practice session on Monday, Clark spoke up for the first time on the hateful comments toward Reese, expressing that there is “no place for that in society.”

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“Yeah, there’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society,” Clark said. “We want every person that comes into our arena, whether player, whether fan, to have a great experience. I appreciate the league doing that. I appreciate the Fever organization has been at the forefront of that since really day one… Hopefully, the investigation, we will leave that to them to find anything and take the proper action if so.”

In the win, Clark finished with her third triple-double of her young WNBA career, tallying 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Reese, on the other hand, started her second season off with a double-double, notching 12 points and 17 rebounds.

The Fever will be back in action on Tuesday, hosting Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream.

Related: Angel Reese Reacts To Historic News After Fever Game

Rudy Gobert quickly humbled after elbowing Nikola Jokic in heated NBA contest

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was humbled as he was dunked on after elbowing Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic in a heated NBA match-up on Friday night

Rudy Gobert clashed with Christian Braun after being dunked on

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was dunked on and started a mass brawl on court having previously elbowed Nikola Jokic.

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The NBA action on Friday night between the Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets boiled over with Gobert in the thick of the controversy. The 32-year-old was assessed a flagrant 1 foul for an elbow on Jokic at the start of the fourth quarter.

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Jokic was defending against Gobert when the Frenchman pivoted around and swung his trailing elbow into the face of the Serb who was standing his ground. Jokic was immediately sent tumbling to the ground holding his face as Gobert walked away from his stricken opponent. The officials called for a foul before calling the fragrant 1 upon review.

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It appears that the feeling of retribution still remained with the Nuggets players as later in the quarter, guard Christian Braun dunked hard on Gobert before celebrating in the face of his opponent. Gobert reacted by putting his arm around the neck and face of Braun, sparking reaction from both sets of players.

As Gobert shoved Braun away, the officials attempted to step in before all players on the court came sprinting over to the scene, eventually calming down the situation. Both Braun and Gobert were assessed technical fouls in the aftermath.

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Gobert reacted furiously to Christian Braun’s celebration

Gobert was previously assessed a flagrant 1 foul for elbowing Nikola Jokic

Gobert spoke to the media after the game where he praised the dunk but hit out at the celebration. “He dunked on me,” the Timberwolves center said. “That was incredible, but what happened after the dunk was what I didn’t like. But the dunk was great. It’s part of the game, there’s a lot of adrenaline. I respect him, it was a nice dunk.”

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Braun’s dunk proved to be one of the highlights of the game as the Nuggets soon took a 10-point lead. But the Timberwolves proceeded to hit back and went on to claim a narrow 119-116 victory over the course of the remaining four minutes.

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Despite being on the wrong side of two controversial moments, Gobert played a crucial role in the victory, making both of his free throws with 10 seconds left and forcing Jokic into a difficult 3-pointer to end the game, which the reigning MVP was unable to make. Gobert finished the game with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting with rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Meanwhile, Braun had 14 points off 5-of-11 shooting with seven rebounds.

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Victory for the Timberwolves moves last season’s beaten Conference finalists to a 3-2 record. While defeat saw the Nuggets fall to a 2-3 record, leaving them down in 13th in the Western Conference.

Joel Embiid fires blunt message to Philadelphia 76ers fans amid Ben Simmons-like rift

Joel Embiid fired a blunt message to critical Philadelphia 76ers fans amid a rift similar to the one Ben Simmons endured prior to his trade to Brooklyn Nets

Joel Embiid gestures during a Philadelphia 76ers game (Image: Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images )

History is in danger of repeating itself at the Wells Fargo Center, the home of the Philadelphia 76ers.

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The relationship between 7-foot center Joel Embiid and the 76ers crowd is starting to bear similarity to the rift that drove a wedge between former playmaker Ben Simmons and the Philly fans prior to the Australian’s move to the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.

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Embiid has played with the 76ers his entire pro career after being a first-round pick in 2014. He’s missed Philadelphia’s first four games so far this season, though, as he recovers from a meniscus injury he suffered last season. The 2023 NBA MVP did play for Team USA in the Paris Olympics last summer, though, winning a gold medal with LeBron James and Co.

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Having been on the court in France not long ago, Embiid faced backlash when it suddenly turned out he would miss the start of the 2024-25 campaign. But speaking this week, Embiid clapped back at any criticism that he’s fit to compete but refuses to play – indicating that for all he’s given the team and the city.

“If your body doesn’t react well, and if your body tells you one thing … I’ve done it,” Embiid said, regarding his spell on the sidelines. “From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice, I came back early … losing my vision, broken fingers, still came back.

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“I’m not going to sit here and be like, when I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. I do think it’s bulls—. I’ve done way too much for this f—— city to be treated like this.”

Joel Embiid laments the lack of support from the hometown 76ers fans in the NBA playoffs (Image: Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images )

The Sixers star finished: “It doesn’t mean I’m not trying, doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I will be soon.”

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Embiid’s rant seemed to have been sparked by the scathing criticism he recently received from a Philadelphia columnist who said the center’s unpreparedness – coming off the back of his $193 million contract extension – was disrespectful to the Philadelphia.

One of the sources of consternation critics have regarding the Embiid situation is the lack of transparency, which has cost the franchise a $100,000 fine for “inconsistent” statements around the All-Star’s health.

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The situation bears resemblance to the fallout between Simmons and Philly fans two years ago. It saw the Sixers faithful turn on the former No. 1 pick after a poor playoff showing and then question his absence at the start of the 2021-22 season, which the Australian said was caused by mental health issues, as he pushed for a trade out due to the hostility he’d experienced.

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Interestingly, Simmons’ worsening relationship with Embiid—who had publicly questioned the playmaker’s abilities—contributed to his exit.