Caitlin Clark has spoken out on WNBA rookie rival Angel Reese’s season-ending injury.
Reese, who was Clark’s main competition for the Rookie of the Year award this season, sensationally announced that her debut season in the WNBA had been tragically cut short.
The Chicago Sky star broke the news in a bombshell statement on Saturday night but she did not specify what the issue was. She later said that a wrist problem was to blame but did not elaborate on the precise injury or if she needs surgery.
One day after the news of Reese’s season-ending wrist injury broke, Clark broke her silence on her rival’s condition when asked during her pregame news conference prior to the Indiana Fever’s game with the Atlanta Dream.
‘It’s obviously, definitely sad, anytime you see anybody go down with an injury, especially people that you came into this league with, whether it was Cam (Brink), whether it was Angel, and especially Angel. Like, you want to see her finish out this year, obviously, she’s had a historic year, and she’s done some incredible things,’ Clark said Sunday.
For me, getting to play against her, her motor is up there, if not the best in the league, like she just doesn’t stop working,’ Clark added. ‘So you know, congratulations to her, I thought she had a tremendous year, and I thought she came to the league and really did what she’s done well her entire career, as long as I’ve known her. So it’s definitely devastating. That’s never anything you want to see from a player.
And then obviously, our rookie class has kind of been hit with a few more injuries than you would have liked to see.’
Clark went on to help the Fever clinch a dramatic 104-100 overtime victory against the Atlanta Dream by making even more WNBA history.
The former Iowa Hawkeye star registered 26 points and 12 assists to record the most points and assists double-doubles in a season.
Reese played Friday night for the Sky as they snapped their seven-game losing skid against Los Angeles Sparks.
Reese finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for her rookie record 26th double-double of the season. And she made 9 of 15 shots with a 3-pointer and all five of her free throws.
Reese also spoke to the media for nearly 15 minutes after Friday’s victory and seemed in high spirits, making no mention of any injury.
But the following day, the 22-year-old took to social media to break the news to the ‘Reese’s Pieces’ – her fans. She was pictured arriving at Wintrust Arena in a wrist brace to cheer on her.
What a year. I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2,’ the 22-year-old wrote.
‘Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed. All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so.
‘I’m filled with emotions right now that I have a season ending injury, but also filled with so much gratitude for what is next.
Although this is God’s timing and not mine, I am finally able to give myself a physical and mental break. “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.” You’ll still see me being the biggest cheerleader on the sideline! And Unrivaled league, see you soon!’