Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese demonstrated growing chemistry as teammates during a dominant 108-56 victory against Hungary in the FIBA Women's World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday. The performance marked their most effective outing together, contributing to a historic scoring record for Team USA in a World Cup quarterfinal.
Clark recorded 10 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Reese added nine points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. The players, who have a long-standing competitive history, connected multiple times during the game. Reese noted that their familiarity with each other's playing styles, forged through numerous past matchups, facilitates their current collaboration.
"We’ve played against each other so many times. So I’m sure we know each other’s game. Like the back of each other’s hand. So I just easily dished it off to her. She dished it off to me. She knows my slides. I kind of got one to her today or maybe two. So it’s fun. We just continue to build chemistry because we know we’re going to be USA teammates for a while," Reese said.
Both players came off the bench, but their combined minutes provided a valuable dynamic for Team USA. Clark's ability to create scoring opportunities through passing and outside shooting complements Reese's contributions in rebounding, interior defense, and paint presence. A video clip of the two players conversing and laughing on the bench during the game circulated widely.
Their on-court partnership unfolds against a backdrop of a rivalry that has captivated public attention since the 2023 NCAA championship game, where Reese's LSU team defeated Clark's Iowa team. A gesture made by Reese during that game sparked a national discussion on sportsmanship, race, and perceived double standards, with Clark later defending Reese against criticism.
Their next significant matchup occurred in the 2024 Elite Eight, a highly anticipated rematch where Clark scored 41 points to lead Iowa to a 94-87 victory over LSU. Reese contributed 17 points and 20 rebounds before fouling out.
The rivalry continued into the WNBA, with the Indiana Fever selecting Clark first overall and the Chicago Sky drafting Reese seventh in 2024. Clark earned Rookie of the Year honors, and Reese led the WNBA in rebounding, with both players named to the All-Rookie team. Their professional games also featured intense moments, including a flagrant foul incident in one game and a subsequent on-court confrontation between the two players in another.
Despite these past tensions, both players have emphasized that their competition does not stem from personal animosity and have previously shown cooperation, such as during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game where Clark assisted Reese on a play.
The World Cup represents a significant opportunity for both players, as neither was selected for the 2024 Paris Olympics roster. This tournament is their first senior international competition and serves as a platform to establish themselves as future core members of the national program leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Clark expressed admiration for Reese's competitive drive and work ethic leading up to the quarterfinal game. "We're both fiery, fiery competitors and we want to win and it's one of the things I really admire about [Reese's] game," Clark told The Associated Press. "She's competitive and she has a tremendous motor, like she has one of the best motors in the league. She works just as hard as anybody on the court. So, it's been fun to be able to play with her."
The U.S. team scored 36 points in the first quarter and led 59-30 by halftime, shooting 59% from the field and recording 31 assists on 40 baskets. The 108 points scored set a new record for the most points in a Women's World Cup quarterfinal game. The victory extended the United States' World Cup winning streak to 34 games, bringing them two wins away from a fifth consecutive championship.
Team USA is scheduled to face the winner of the quarterfinal between Australia and Spain in the semifinal. Clark and Reese will aim for the championship with the continued support of their team.