LeBron James addresses Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark critics with four-word message after career night

Caitlin Clark might have put the WNBA Rookie of the Year race on ice after Friday night’s performance.  The former Iowa star had 31 points and a dozen assists in the Indiana Fever’s 100-81 drubbing of the Chicago Sky, which was good enough to draw praise from none other than LeBron James.

‘CAITLIN CLARK!!!!! HI HATERS,’ James posted online.

Angel Reese paled in comparison, finishing the loss with just 10 points before sitting out the final four minutes of the blowout loss.  She did not play again after taking the free throw associated with the flagrant one foul committed against her by Diamond Deshields, a hip check that sent Clark spiraling to the ground.

Caitlin Clark outdueled Angel Reese on Friday night with a 31-point performance for the Fever

Angel Reese did set the WNBA rookie record for most double-doubles in a season with 23

CAITLIN CLARK!!!!! HI HATERS

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 31, 2024

As Clark exited the game, she called on the crowd to make noise, with both broadcast announcers mentioning they have seen a lot of her jerseys in Chicago.  ‘Is this enemy territory? I’ve seen a lot of Caitlin Clark jerseys in downtown Chicago today,’ one commentator for Ion Network said.  Reese did complete her 23rd double-double of the season, passing Tina Charles for the most by a rookie in WNBA history.

The Fever improve to 16-16 with the victory, the first time the team has been at .500 or better since 2022.  Indiana are also now five games clear of the Atlanta Dream for the final playoff spot in the WNBA with eight games left in its regular season.  A common criticism of Clark as of late has been her field-goal percentage, with many believing she only scores high point totals because she is a volume shooter.  Clark’s 31 on Friday night came from 8-for-14 from the field and 5-for-9 from 3-point range.