The 2025 WNBA season is now underway, and Caitlin Clark is already putting on a show. Clark had a triple-double as the Indiana Fever blew out Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky 93-58 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, and LeBron James took to X to praise her for her performance in her season debut.
“TRIPLE DUB CC!! Great way to kick off the season!”
Clark finished with 20 points (6-13 FG), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, and four blocks (career-high). It was the third triple-double of the 23-year-old’s career, and she’s now tied for third all-time in that category in league history with Candace Parker.
The Fever only led 22-20 in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but then proceeded to dominate. That lead grew to 45-32 at halftime, and the game would really get away from the Sky in the second half. They could only muster 26 points in the period as the Fever completely outplayed them.
Reese was the Sky’s leading scorer on the night, finishing with 12 points (5-14 FG), 17 rebounds, and one assist. Thanks to their rivalry, all eyes were on her and Clark in this game, and there was one moment in the third quarter where tempers flared.
Caitlin Clark received a flagrant foul on this play.
Aliyah Boston and Angel Reese received offsetting technical fouls. pic.twitter.com/jzQYEW92TW
— ESPN (@espn) May 17, 2025
Reese was rather unhappy about that foul, but stated after the game that it was a basketball play. She felt the officials got it right when they gave Clark a flagrant foul. As for the Fever star, she made it clear postgame that she had no malicious intent whatsoever.
“It’s just a good take foul,” Clark said. “Either Angel gets wide open two points, or we send them to the free throw line. Nothing malicious about it. It’s just a good take foul, every basketball player knows that.”
Reese would make one of her two free throws, and Courtney Vandersloot made a layup on the next possession to cut the Fever’s lead down to 56-45. The Sky wouldn’t score another point for the rest of the quarter, though, and that stretch all but ended the game as a contest.
This was the perfect start to the new season for Clark. She had a dazzling rookie season that led to her winning ROTY, and James had a message for her in the lead-up to her sophomore campaign.
“Good luck and DO YOU per usual this season!!! Caitlin Clark.”
Well, Clark has done just that. James openly supporting her shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, as he did it last year as well. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar clapped back at Clark’s haters after she recorded her second triple-double in a win over the Los Angeles Sparks.
For those wondering why he has acted in this manner, James explained why he respects Clark and has supported her since Day 1.
“I have a great deal of respect for Caitlin Clark, because I know exactly what it means to be drafted, be the face of a franchise, and also get the scrutiny from a lot of people that don’t believe you’re ready for the next jump, don’t believe you’re ready for the big leagues, and just don’t think that you belong,” James said. “And I remember that when I came into the league at eighteen years old, how many people doubted me and hoped and prayed that I’d fail.
“And so, me watching Caitlin and seeing what she’s doing, I’ve been in support of her since day one, because I remember myself going through that, and she has my support 100 percent,” James continued. “She’s a transcendent player. And obviously we all saw that at Iowa, and I knew that it would translate to the big leagues. And she’s an unbelievable talent. It’s great to watch.”
James could empathize with what Clark had to go through. He managed to prove the doubters wrong very quickly, and she has as well.
