After taking part in a series of high-profile battles against one another over the past several years, basketball fans will get their first chance to see Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as teammates in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.
Slated for Saturday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC from Footprint Center in Phoenix, Clark and Reese were each named to Team WNBA and will square off against the USA Basketball Women’s National Team.
On Wednesday, Reese was asked on NBA TV what it would be like teaming up with Clark for the first time in her career.
“It’s gonna be really cool. I know so many fans are gonna come out to watch both of us, but I know a lot of people are just gonna be able to come to Phoenix. I’m sure it’s already sold out, so being able to be in that environment.
“We’re gonna be playing together for a while so this is not gonna be the (last) time. I know we’ll be All-Stars again. I know, hopefully, 2028 we’ll be Olympians together, too. So, being able to enjoy this. I’m going to Paris, too, to go watch the Olympics, so I’m excited for that, too,” Reese said.
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Asked about the possibility of becoming All-Star teammates with Reese before their team’s third meeting of this WNBA season on June 23, Clark was excited about that potential opportunity.
“I think both of us would probably tell you our focus is on playing basketball, and if that works out for the both of us, great, that would be a lot of fun. We’ve never played together. I guess I don’t really know what all goes into how they select the All-Star team. I’m new to the league. I know fan vote is part of it, but there’s also other criteria, it’s not just fan vote. She’s had a tremendous season, and if that was to happen, I’m sure people would love it,” Clark said.
Then, after the rosters became official, Clark said she hoped her and Reese pairing as All-Star teammates wouldn’t take away from the weekend as a whole.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been her teammate before even with USA Basketball or anything like that, so I know people are going to be really excited about it but I hope it doesn’t take away from everybody else. This is a huge accomplishment for everybody on Team USA and everybody on Team WNBA. They all deserve the same praise. I don’t want it to take away from any of that and just be the focal point of All-Star weekend, because that’s not fair to them.
“Obviously, this is something that’s really hard to accomplish, so the best we can celebrate all of them will be great. I’m just going to obviously soak in the experience because you never know if you’re going to be able to get back there and it’ll be fun for all of us, for sure,” Clark said.
Clark is the front-runner for WNBA Rookie of the Year, but Reese has been having a sensational rookie season as well.
Clark is averaging 16.7 points, 7.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds per game and 1.5 steals per game. The Fever rookie is shooting 39.8% from the field and 34.2% from 3-point range.
Meanwhile, Reese is averaging 14.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 41.9% from the field. Reese has registered a WNBA record 14 straight double-doubles.
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