Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese show they belong among elites in WNBA All-Star Game

 

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PHOENIX — All-star games don’t usually resemble the regular season. With the elevated talent level, the different stakes and a more up-tempo flow, the skills that all-stars put on display with their own teams don’t always shine in an exhibition showcase.

Don’t tell that to the rookies.

The two rookies who have taken the WNBA by storm during the first half of the season did the same at the Footprint Center in the 2024 All-Star Game, helping Team WNBA capture its second win in this format, 117-109.

Angel Reese was the double-double queen during the first half of the season, setting a league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles. She added another such tally to her resume, posting 12 points and 11 rebounds in her All-Star debut. Her longtime adversary Caitlin Clark recently set the league’s single-game assist record with 19, and the Indiana Fever guard followed with 10 in her first All-Star performance.

“Is it a surprise? I feel like I do this every night,” Reese said. “The expectations are set and that’s what I’m expected to do.”

Against some of the best in the WNBA on Team USA, Clark and Reese were unfazed by the moment. They each played within themselves and made meaningful contributions to the win.

Clark started alongside four multi-time All-Stars and comfortably ran the offense. Her 10 assists came alongside zero turnovers — the first time all season she hasn’t given the ball away, even though it was against a USA squad trying to pressure her on defense.

Clark was faster than Chelsea Gray and successfully used screens from her bigs, particularly her Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston, to navigate traps. Even though the 3-ball didn’t fall for her, she was only the fourth player in All-Star history to post double-digit assists.

“I just love passing the basketball,” Clark said. “Honestly, sometimes it works better almost when they score, they take a breath for a second. I want to get the ball out and go. That’s the way I view it, let’s get the ball out, let’s go, let’s push. … I just want to set my teammates up for success … and I take a lot of pride in that.”

Clark’s best assist of the night might have come during the third quarter when she was supposed to check into the game for Arike Ogunbowale. Instead, she walked back to the bench from the scorer’s table as she recognized what a heater her Team WNBA backcourt partner was on.

While Clark dazzled with her playmaking, her fellow rookie made her mark defensively and on the glass. Reese entered the game with 1:35 to play in the first quarter. Within 24 seconds, she made a steal. A minute later, she collected an offensive rebound — her first of five — as she scored on a putback to give Team WNBA its first lead.

The Olympians started sending multiple players to the boards to box out Reese in the second half, which prevented her from getting any offensive rebounds, but she still had four defensive rebounds — the most on either team — and added eight points.

The basket that everyone came to see occurred with 6:36 to play. Clark forced Brittney Griner to step up on a drive to the basket. As Griner vacated the space underneath the rim, Clark bounced the ball to Reese, who finished the layup to put Team WNBA up nine.

It was the only time the two connected during the evening — though Reese did set a screen for Clark to set up a 3-pointer on the right wing that the Fever guard ultimately missed — and both players knew in the moment what they had produced.

“I know that bucket went viral, I haven’t checked my phone yet, (but) my phone’s blowing up,” Reese said. “(Clark) even said on the bench, ‘You know how many people are happy right now?’ I was like, man, I already know. I’m already knowing, so I’m gonna go see that video everywhere.”

Together, along with Aliyah Boston of Team WNBA, Reese and Clark represent the future of the league and basketball around the world. It’s easy to envision them in four years wearing the jersey of the opposite team, trying to prepare for their own Olympic experience in Los Angeles.

Clark has spoken openly about wanting to play for Team USA in the future, and Reese elaborated on her own desire to represent the red, white, and blue.

“We were just talking about, hopefully (in) four years, we’re on the other side being able to play with USA,” Reese said. “I want to be going to the Olympics one day. That’s my goal. To be an All-Star every year is the goal. To win championships is the goal. So I’m just excited, I’m just really blessed to just be here. I’m trying to embrace this moment right now and not think too far ahead, but I’m really proud of myself for where I am right now.”

Their teammates are equally proud of what they have accomplished and how that continued into Saturday’s win. Kayla McBride spoke pregame about the grace the duo has demonstrated as rookies. Nneka Ogwumike complimented their ability to work together in the victory.

“I’m always impressed by the two of them,” Ogwumike said. “It was also really fun to see them playing together tonight. They had some synergy. And the maturity that they have going in, not even just being here at All-Star, but managing all of the influx that they get as the two rookies that are really getting a lot of attention. And then, of course, being celebrated, too. I would like to think that they had fun today, and I think that’s the main goal, especially for first-time All-Stars, is to enjoy the experience.

“And they helped us win too.”

For all their differences, the one major trait the longtime adversaries share is a desire to win. Both Clark and Reese were overjoyed about showcasing their skills and getting to do so while the team succeeded. It’s what they’ve done for the bulk of their careers, and what the public should continue to expect as they work through the growing pains of their rookie seasons.

Whatever their futures on the national team entail, the rookies should be fixtures in this midseason showcase for years to come. They’ve shown that they belong at this level time and again and that they can make room for their talents no matter the situation.