Ever since Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese entered the WNBA draft this season, both have been neck and neck. For the WNBA, the Clark-Reese rivalry has been a selling point. “I know about sports; you need rivalry. That’s what makes people watch,” shared WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. But with it, comes the extreme reactions from the fans while the rookies themselves do not share the sentiment, as their comments, old and recent remind.

For these two standout rookies this season, the rivalry is only limited to the court when they face each other. In fact, Indiana Fever’s rookie has stood up for her All-Star teammate to counter critical comments from fans. “I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all. No matter which way it goes, she should never be criticized,” shared the 22-year-old Iowa native in an exclusive interview with ESPN back in 2023, after Reese’s gesture towards Clark had garnered intense backlash.

Now that the Chicago Sky standout recently raised the concern about the extreme hate she has received, Clark’s comments are going viral once again. But it isn’t just Clark who has taken a stand for her perceived arch-rival, Angel Reese. Even “Chi-Town Barbie” herself supports Clark’s impressive gameplay.

“Caitlin is an amazing player, and I’ve always thought she was an amazing player… We’ve been playing each other since high school. And like, knowing that, there has never been beef,” she told co-host Maya Moore in episode 1 of Unapologetically Angel. So, who’s promoting hatred between the two then?

It’s the fans, not just Reese’s, not just Clark’s, but both.

Even Bayou Barbie admits that it’s the fans who keep stirring the pot among themselves. “I think it’s the fans—her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans—they ride for her. And I respect that, [when it’s] respectful. But sometimes it’s very disrespectful,” she revealed. For her, the criticism has crossed all possible limits as she has even endured death threats.

Though she only pointed out her fans, Reese isn’t alone. According to @the_realami’s post on X, a fan had openly called out Clark, praying for her to get injured. “Is it bad that I am praying that God takes away Cameron Brink’s pain and gives it to Caitlin Clark?” a fan said in a voice recording.

It’s not a surprise that fans are going to extremes. But it’s just basketball. Neither Clark nor Reese is actually involved in sparking the rivalry against each other. They agree to being competitive but that is the extent of it; limited to the court.