WNBA: A rivalry doubtlessly begins when Clark, Fever host Reese, Sky

Since 1979, the gold customary of basketball rivalries is Magic Johnson versus Larry Hen. Their rivalry started in school, with Johnson’s Michigan State beating Hen’s Indiana State within the nationwide championship sport. After they joined the NBA—then a basketball league with mainstream potential—their rivalry and followers “went professional” with them, permitting the league to interrupt by means of and pave the best way for future generations of proficient gamers.

Are we experiencing one thing comparable with the WNBA proper now, because of the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese? They face off for the primary time of their WNBA careers on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Edwin Garcia lately defined why Reese is the true deal. The No. 7 general decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft who’s main the league in offensive boards, Reese is aggressive, assured and hard. Clark, the No. 1 decide within the draft, is averaging 17.6 factors and 6.6 assists per sport. Sure, she’s additionally averaging 5.7 turnovers per sport, however keep in mind that Magic averaged 4 turnovers per sport in his rookie 12 months and three.9 for his complete Corridor of Fame profession.

Set Quantity: X164332 TK2

So one of many causes to observe the sport is to witness the following chapter in what might very properly turn out to be one of many best rivalries in ladies’s basketball. And what higher method to kick off the Commissioner’s Cup than with Clark vs. Reese? However the Fever and the Sky produce other attention-grabbing gamers to root for (or in opposition to) and storylines to comply with.

#FreeNaLyssa

Photograph by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos

For some purpose, Fever head coach Christie Sides doesn’t belief NaLyssa Smith. Smith has been one of many few Fever gamers who has a really feel for what Clark intends to do when seeking to make passes or hit cutters. She’s additionally been unafraid to place the workforce on her again and shoot when issues aren’t going properly. But two video games in the past, she discovered herself coming off the bench. Smith returned to the beginning lineup within the final sport in opposition to the Seattle Storm, and had 23 factors on 57 p.c capturing. Smith appears to be a participant who wants her coach’s belief to carry out in accordance with her skills. Let’s hope she finds that quickly.

Which Marina Mabrey will we see?

Photograph by Jeff Haynes/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

When Mabrey is on fireplace, she’s unstoppable. She will simply learn defensive schemes and use her energy to free herself from pesky defenders to launch a 3 or discover an open teammate. However when she’s chilly, she might properly shoot her workforce out of a sport. In Sky’s final contest in opposition to the Los Angeles Sparks, she was 6-of-11 from 3. Two days earlier in opposition to the Storm, she made simply 30 p.c of her discipline objective makes an attempt. Mabrey is intense, and at occasions, when issues aren’t going her manner, that is perhaps a difficulty. Even when she’s struggling although, she’s a pleasure to observe and her ardour for the sport retains the deal with her.

Chicago Sky (3-3) vs. Indiana Fever (1-8)

When: Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. ET

The place: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

Methods to watch: ESPN

Fever harm report: Damiris Dantas (out; knee), Temi Fagbenle (out; foot)

Sky harm report: Kamilla Cardoso (possible; shoulder)