Angel Reese receives unexpected welcome in Indiana as Caitlin Clark sits out WNBA All-Star Game with injury

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game tipped off Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, showcasing the league’s brightest talents.  Among those not taking the court was Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, who is still sidelined with a lower-body injury suffered just before the All-Star break. Despite missing the game, Clark remained front and center, supporting her namesake squad, Team Clark, from the sidelines.

While Clark’s presence was felt in the arena, the moment that caught many off guard came during player introductions.  Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky star and longtime on-court rival of Clark dating back to their college basketball days, received an unexpected ovation from Indiana fans.  “Sky star Angel Reese gets a loudddddd applause here at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the ASG,” reported James Boyd on X.

Reese’s warm reception was a stark contrast to the friction-filled narrative that followed her rivalry with Clark from NCAA national championship clashes to early WNBA showdowns.  Both players have become lightning rods for attention, with debates around competitiveness, sportsmanship, and social media sparking national conversations. But on this night, Reese was celebrated as an All-Star, and deservedly so.

Reese shines off-court as Clark leads in fan votes

Reese was named to her second WNBA All-Star appearance as a reserve for Team Collier, led by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and coached by legendary Cheryl Miller.  The 23-year-old Sky forward drew the 10th most fan votes, securing 506,741 total. Clark, despite being unable to play, led all vote-getters with a staggering 1,293,526 fan votes, a number that further cemented her status as one of the league’s biggest draws, even in street clothes.

Reese’s All-Star nod caps off what has been a remarkable rookie campaign on an individual level, even if her team’s record leaves much to be desired.  The Chicago Sky entered the All-Star break at 7-15, near the bottom of the standings, with only the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun faring worse.  Despite her team’s struggles, Reese has kept the spotlight with consistent performances, a growing endorsement portfolio, and a brash confidence that has become her trademark.

Just this month, Reese was announced as a cover athlete for NBA 2K26, a major milestone for any player, let alone a rookie.  On top of that, her first signature shoe with Reebok dropped ahead of the All-Star Game, capitalizing on her viral “mebounds” moment, which critics originally used to discredit her hustle-heavy playing style. Reese and Reebok flipped the insult into a campaign, proving once again that she knows how to turn criticism into currency.