Excitement for the WNBA is palpable as fans eagerly witnessed Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese take the court as professionals for the first time on Friday night during the league's brief preseason. Both players showcased their talents in college, with Clark shattering the NCAA Division I scoring record and Reese leading LSU to an NCAA title in 2023.
In their preseason debuts, Clark's Indiana Fever faced off against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, while Reese's Chicago Sky clashed with the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis.
Despite a narrow loss for the Fever, Clark emerged as the team's top scorer, tallying 21 points, including five 3-pointers, along with three rebounds and two assists. Meanwhile, Reese contributed 13 points and nine rebounds for the Sky, although they also fell short in their preseason opener against the Lynx.
Initially, the WNBA mistakenly indicated that all preseason games would be available on WNBA League Pass, leading to confusion among fans. However, while the Fever's game streamed as advertised, the Sky vs. Lynx matchup was unavailable officially, prompting a Lynx fan to host a livestream that garnered significant viewership.
Ahead of the game, the Wings announced a sold-out arena, highlighting the anticipation surrounding Clark's debut alongside Aaliyah Boston, last year's top draft pick. However, both teams face challenges, with the Fever struggling to secure a playoff berth since 2016 and the Sky ranking at the bottom of the league.
Reese, along with fellow rookie Kamilla Cardoso, aims to revitalize Chicago's lineup. Cardoso, drafted third overall, led the University of South Carolina to victory over Clark's Hawkeyes in the college championship game.
Dawn Staley, Cardoso's coach, praised Clark's impact on women's basketball viewership, citing her as a driving force behind the sport's recent growth. With the preseason ongoing until next Friday and the regular season set to tip-off on May 14, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be an exciting WNBA season.