The Chicago Sky took on one of their most heated matchups of the 2024 WNBA season on June 16th. Chicago lost 91-83 to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, which marked their fourth straight loss. Of course, Angel Reese and Clark were the center of attention due to their rivalry.
Sixth-year guard Marina Mabrey dropped a truth bomb on growing fan mayhem from the two stars’ battles after Chicago’s practice on Wednesday.
Marina Mabrey’s mixed take on the Reese-Clark rivalry
Mabrey noted the growing volatility between Fever fans and Sky fans with the arrival of Reese and Clark, but she sees the increased engagement as a positive.
“[We] love all of the fans. And if they want to make a new rivalry, and it’s gonna bring more money, more eyes, that’s fine,” Mabrey said.
Furthermore, Mabrey gave a mixed response when asked what she thought of the variety of fans’ reactions to the rivalry.
“There’s so many people saying things. Sometimes I find myself saying ‘what’? And other times, I say, ‘That’s a neat perspective.’ Something that I maybe didn’t notice or think about. Then other things, [the fans] are just having fun.”
Criticisms of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are endless. But as much hate as the two stars receive, fans equally love and embrace them. For instance, when Reese spoke about the players she models her game after, fans on X admired her explanation.
“Love that she’s still being a student of the game,” one X user said.
“Great young ambassador for the league,” another claimed.
However, others remained critical. One fan said it was hypocritical for Reese to mention players with versatile skill sets when she simply “gets layups and rebounds.”
Through it all, Marina Mabrey emphasized the importance of keeping Chicago’s inner team circle supportive.
