Angel Reese has now won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice in a row, yet much of the attention is still focused on Caitlin Clark. The Atlanta Dream forward averaged 14.0 points, 17.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game during the week, while the Indiana Fever point guard put up 35.5 ppg, 11.0 apg, 4.0 rpg, and 2.0 spg.
Reese got the nod, though social media refused to let her enjoy the award without more Clark questions and comparisons.
Angel Reese’s Back-to-Back Player of the Week Honors Reignite Heated Caitlin Clark DebateThe former Chicago Sky star certainly gave voters plenty to consider.
She opened the week with a performance that immediately grabbed attention, finishing with 11 points, 26 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in Atlanta’s 78-71 win over the Los Angeles Sparks. Her 26 rebounds broke Chamique Holdsclaw’s WNBA record of 24, set in May 2003.
Reese also hauled down her 458th rebound of the season, moving past A’ja Wilson’s mark of 451 set two years ago. Four days later, the 6-foot-4 forward delivered another double-double, posting 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Reese still filled up the stat sheet, but the Dream lost 101-83 to the already-eliminated Portland Fire. The 24-year-old saved her best of the week against the Minnesota Lynx. Reese had 15 points and 11 rebounds to help Atlanta pull off an 89-81 upset.
READ MORE:‘Angel Reese Doesn’t Need to Play’ — WNBA World Mocks Jason Whitlock’s Caitlin Clark-Team USA Claim
Clark, meanwhile, arguably had her most dazzling stretch in the last two games.
On August 23, she erupted for 37 points and 10 assists against the Sky, shooting 13-of-24 and a career-best 8-of-12 from 3-point range. According to the Fever, Clark now has five games with at least 30 points and 10 assists, more than the rest of WNBA history combined (4).
The three-time All-Star followed that performance with 34 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals on Friday.
That outing also added another piece of history to her résumé, as she became the first player in WNBA history with 800-plus points and 300-plus assists in a season, as well as the first to reach 300-plus assists and 100-plus 3-pointers in a season.
With that as background, Reese nudged Clark for the award, a decision that did not sit well with some members of the WNBA community.
“Tell us how you hate CC22 without saying you hate CC22…MeBounds and Bricks is player of the week?” a WNBA observer wrote.
“Lmao, even her fans are shocked. What sort of foolery is this?” another WNBA supporter wondered.
“Lady Javale Magee is crushing it. Hilarious,” a golf enthusiast added to the debate.
“This angel reese agenda is so obvious its laughable yet highly unethical,” another remarked.
Others went beyond simply questioning the decision and argued that Clark had the stronger case, as one post directly laid out Clark’s numbers.
“@WNBA bias is showing!! Caitlin Clark had these two games during the same week:37 PTS, 10 AST, and 8 three-pointers. 34 PTS, 12 AST, and 6 three-pointers. And somehow this wasn’t player of the week worthy?” Pet Politico posted.
The debate is made even more interesting by the fact that Reese and Clark are the only two players this season to win the Player of the Week award in back-to-back weeks, according to Polymarket Hoops.
Both players have a legitimate case for the honor. Reese’s rebounding numbers and defensive impact helped Atlanta secure a pair of impressive wins, while Clark produced two extraordinary scoring and playmaking performances that added to an already historic season.
SEE ALSO:‘Angel Reese Doesn’t Need to Play’ – WNBA World Mocks Jason Whitlock’s Caitlin Clark-Team USA Claim
For now, though, the award belongs to Reese, but the debate surrounding her and Clark is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
Fortunately, there may soon be a break from the rivalry talk. Reese and Clark will be on the same side at the FIBA World Cup, joining a loaded Team USA roster with one goal: defending the women’s basketball gold.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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