And as they both continue to stake their claim for the award, it seems it’s not just the two players who are desperate to come out on top.
Clark etched her name into the history books once more on Saturday night by becoming the first ever WNBA rookie to record a triple-double; after finishing with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in the Indiana Fever’s 83-78 win against the league-best New York Liberty.
It was a huge statement from the 22-year-old, who set a host of records during her iconic college career with Iowa and entered the league as the clear Rookie of the Year favorite as a result.
Yet after her successful evening on Sunday, Reese’s team – the Chicago Sky – appeared to take a swipe at Clark by insisting their rookie is out in front.
The Chicago Sky took a swipe at Caitlin Clark (right) as the battle between her and Angel Reese (left) for WNBA Rookie of the Year heats up
Reese, who enjoyed a memorable rivalry with Clark in college, is having a remarkable rookie campaign of her own after extending her record double-double streak to 13 games over the weekend.
The former LSU stat first put up 27 points and 10 rebounds in a victory over the Seattle Storm on Friday which pushed the streak on to 12 games.
Two days later she then made it 13 on the bounce despite their reverse defeat at the hands of Seattle.
And amid her stunning run of double-doubles, Chicago wanted to remind everyone about their own 22-year-old sensation on Saturday.
The Sky posted a graphic about Reese extending her double-double streak and wrote as the caption: ‘Record setter. THE front runner’.
It remains to be seen who clinches this year’s Rookie of the Year prize, with the WNBA set to be put on hold for the Olympic Games later this month.
Record setter. THE front runner.#skytown pic.twitter.com/gXGx2FieX8
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 6, 2024
Clark put up the first ever rookie triple-double in WNBA history against the New York Liberty
Reese put a 13th consecutive double-double in Sunday’s clash against the Seattle Storm
Clark and Reese are also set to become teammates when they line up in the WNBA All-Star game on July 20.
In a brilliant moment captured on video, Clark was praised by her head coach before being covered in water by her Fever teammates after writing more history over the weekend.
‘First time for a rookie to get a triple-double in franchise history,’ Christie Sides could be heard saying before pointing to the No 1 draft pick beside her.
That sparked jubilant scenes, with the team rushing over to her and emptying their water bottles over her head, much to Clark’s surprise.
