Fans are speculating after Angel Reese’s two-word line in the Finals promo

Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark, Chicago Sky's Angel Reese

Whether the public likes it or not, Caitlin Clark is the most prominent topic in women’s basketball today.

She has instantly been tapped as the face and savior of the WNBA, who can elevate the product to levels of popularity and financial growth it has never been able to realistically visualize.

But she is not the only rookie who is expected to be a vital component of this landmark era. Angel Reese is also being trusted to move the needle.

Given the history that the Chicago Sky forward shares with the Indiana Fever guard, marketing departments will likely deem it wise to build a rivalry between the two 22-year-olds. The NBA might already be employing that exact philosophy.

In a Sunday commercial for the 2024 NBA Finals, which are scheduled to begin on June 6, Dwayne Wade and Queen Latifah co-emcee a swanky gathering consisting of some of the biggest names in basketball as well as a few people in the acting and entertainment industry.

Among those in attendance are Sky building blocks and national champions Reese (2023 with LSU) and Kamilla Cardoso (2024 with South Carolina). Clark is not present, and Reese appears to explain why.

“Tonight we honor basketball’s king and queens,” Latifah says in the NBA promo. “Champs only,” Angel Reese replies before “The Equalizer” star curiously winks and the Chicago skyscrapers place an imaginary crown on their heads.

This could simply be a jab at every star player who has failed to win a championship, but Caitlin Clark is inevitably going to be at the forefront of most people’s minds.

Reese is making sure to stir the pot a bit more after re-posting the advertisement with a caption that included her two-word line and a smirking face emoji. Let the speculation begin.

https://x.com/Reese10Angel/status/1792253186482319843

Could this just be a coincidence?

Although there are people who consider it unnecessary to even surmise that Reese is taking a shot at Clark with her social media post, those involved in producing this commercial should have known the reaction the aforementioned exchange would elicit.

One has to wonder why Reese and Cardoso were included in the NBA Finals advertisement.

The same can be said for any college champ, or Ken Jeong and Queen Latifah for that matter (“Just Wright” is not exactly considered a sports film classic).

The placement of this spot, coupled with Latifah’s conspicuous wink, make it clear that shade is being thrown in some direction.

Featuring the two stars who defeated Clark in the national title game allows many fans to rationally assume that the former Iowa superstar is the target of this jab. The actual meaning behind the remark is irrelevant.

What is far more important is the significance of a long-term, competitive rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese could be what the WNBA needs

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark pose for photos before the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music.Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The respective roles Clark and Reese played in massively expanding women’s college basketball during the last couple of years, as well as their famous duel for the 2023 national championship, guarantees that they are inextricably linked in the annals of history.

Both athletes have expressed respect for one another multiple times, but there will not be many pleasantness when the two are battling on the court.

They are fierce competitors who have no qualms about gamesmanship. Similar to when Reese pointed to her ring finger at Clark as a nod to the title LSU was on the verge of winning, the “champs only” line can be interpreted as a clear message. Angel Reese has membership to a special exclusive club that Caitlin Clark is still trying to enter.

The WNBA is desperately hoping that people tune in to see how this dynamic unfolds in the many years to come. Clark versus Reese could be the fuel this league needs to soar to the next tier. Hence, the WNBA will feed into and emphasize this rivalry at every turn. There is plenty of time to continue building that narrative, however.

These two talents must stay focused on assimilating to the professional level right now. They have more growing pains to endure before the Fever (0-3) host the Sky (1-1) on Saturday, June 1.