Clark has tried to play down the rivalry

UNDISPUTED’S Skip Bayless thinks WNBA star Angel Reese is jealous of newcomer Caitlin Clark.

The WNBA players’ college rivalry has spilled into the pros with Reese, 22, coming under the spotlight.

Angel Reese is coming under fire

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Angel Reese is coming under fireCredit: Getty

Caitlin Clark has been targeted in the WNBA
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Caitlin Clark has been targeted in the WNBACredit: Getty

Skip Bayless thinks Reese is coming off as the villain
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Skip Bayless thinks Reese is coming off as the villainCredit: Getty
Reese applauded her Chicago Sky teammate, Chennedy Carter, when she hip-checked Clark to the ground.

Reese was then called for a flagrant foul while defending the superstar on Sunday.

She called it a “basketball move” after the game.

“Some people get a special whistle,” Reese added.

“Now I listen to her postgame, and yeah, she’s become the villain,” Bayless, 72, said on Undisputed.

“Her postgames reek a little bit of jealousy and bitterness. That’s how it comes across to me.

“But I don’t know; they’re still too young for me to know for sure where they’re going to stand.”

“She’s gonna have to accept the fact that when her team on Friday night went to play the Washington Mystics, they kept it in the little gym,” Bayless said.

Boston Celtics defeat the Dallas Mavericks for 18th NBA championship

“The little building which holds 4,200 and that’s what they drew.

“And when Caitlin went there a couple of weeks ago to play the Mystics, who are the worst team in the league, they moved it to the big gym.

“They moved it to the big arena and they sold 20,333 seats.

“Angel drew 4,000, basically, and Caitlin drew 20,000. That’s just a fact.

“The point is, all of her postgames – and again, she’s playing the villain role.

“It just comes off as so negative. Like the media is against her. I don’t think the media is against her.”

Clark, 22, has tried to play down the supposed rivalry.

“She’s trying to make a play on the ball, and get the block. It happens,” she said.

How the WNBA works

THE 2024 WNBA season features 12 teams with the regular-season running from May 14 to September 9.

Each team plays 40 regular-season games – four against five teams from the same conference and two teams from the other conference, and three games against the remaining four teams.

The top eight teams in the league standings qualify for the playoffs – regardless of what conference they’re in.

The playoffs will use a best-of-three format in the first round while the semifinals and WNBA Finals are best of five.

This season also includes a month-long break for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Las Vegas Aces are defending back-to-back WNBA champions.

“What’s going through my mind? I need to make these two free throws.

“That’s all I’m thinking about. It’s just part of basketball. It is what it is.”

Indiana had the last laugh as they ran out 91-83 winners.

Clark scored 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting with eight rebounds and nine assists.

Reese, meanwhile, had 11 points and 13 rebounds with five assists.