Thinking about the WNBA All-Star Game, it’s clear that Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese were the talk of the event. Cheryl Reeve, before the game, made headlines by stating she had no doubts about Caitlyn Clark being left off the Olympic team. When asked if there was any second-guessing about not including Clark, Reeve said, “No.” But the way she said it, with a mocking tone, suggested she didn’t see Clark as a big deal.
Well, karma came knocking hard. Just imagine Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese, the sensational rookies, teaming up and putting on a show against the Olympic team. Clark broke assist records, dominated the rebounds, and guess what? Team WNBA defeated Team USA, the team Reeve said didn’t need Clark. It’s ironic that the team Reeve assembled, full of stars like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart, lost to the rookie she underestimated.
Even though Clark didn’t have her best shooting night, she showed why she’s considered the best passer in WNBA history. She broke the record with 10 assists in an All-Star game. That’s pure Caitlyn Clark—impacting the game even when her shots aren’t falling.
But there’s more to this story. Angel Reese also made her mark. She became the first rookie to get a double-double in a WNBA All-Star Game, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring 12 points. Seeing Clark and Reese play together was fantastic. There was even a memorable play where Clark made a sensational pass to Reese, who finished with a basket. It was like they had been playing together forever. Reese commented on the experience, saying, “In the future, we’re going to be playing with each other a lot. Hopefully, in 4 years, we can be Olympians together.” This shows the mutual respect between these two rising stars.
This game proves what we already knew—these rookies are here to shake up the league. Clark, even on a night when her shots weren’t falling, showed why she’s one of the best point guards. Her ability to read the game and make precise passes is simply out of this world.
However, something was off about Cheryl Reeve’s attitude. It seemed like she had given specific instructions for Team USA to guard Clark as if it were a playoff game. This type of defense is rare in an All-Star event. Notice Kelsey Plum’s defense on Clark—she’s literally glued to her, putting on full-court pressure. Was Reeve so determined to stop Clark after the controversial pregame interview?
Despite all this pressure, Caitlyn Clark managed to stand out. Even when heavily guarded, her 10 assists showcased how she can impact the game. The most incredible thing is that Reeve’s strategy backfired. While Team USA focused on stopping Clark, other players like Arike Ogunbowale had more freedom and ended up deciding the game.
Cheryl Reeve’s behavior drew criticism. Many people thought she was taking things too far, especially given that it was a celebration of women’s basketball. After the game, social media exploded. Everyone is questioning Reeve’s choices for the Olympic team. The burning question is how Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese were left out of the team going to Paris. Fans are outraged and some are even suggesting sending the entire WNBA team to the Olympics.
The game raised an important question: Does the Olympic team really represent the best in American women’s basketball? This game showed that the new generation of WNBA players, led by Clark and Reese, is more than ready to take the spotlight. They’re not just playing at a high level; they’re also bringing more attention and excitement to women’s basketball.
Looking ahead, Caitlyn Clark will have a bit of a break—about 3 weeks—until the Fever’s next game scheduled for August 16th. Knowing Clark, she won’t just sit around. I bet she’ll use this time to train even more, especially her three-point shooting. Despite not having her best shooting night at the All-Star Game, she’ll likely come back for the second half of the season hitting even more threes.
Clark’s stats after being excluded from the Olympic team are impressive. Before, she was averaging 6.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 38% shooting. Now she’s jumped to 9.6 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 47% shooting. It seems like the exclusion only served as extra motivation for her.
As for the Fever, the team needs to align a few things to really take off. Many are talking about Coach Christie Sides’ situation, with fans calling for a change. The first half of the season under her command was confusing. Will the Fever risk changing coaches midseason? Imagine if they hired someone like Cheryl Miller, who coached the WNBA team at the All-Star Game. She’s already built a connection with Clark, Aaliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. It could be a huge turnaround for the team.
One thing is certain: The pressure is enormous for the Olympics, especially for Cheryl Reeve after this defeat at the All-Star Game and all the controversy around the Olympic team selections. They will have a lot to prove in Paris. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Clark will be preparing to shine in the playoffs. If I know her, and I think I do, she’ll use this Olympic exclusion as fuel. I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts scoring 30 points per game in the second half of the season.
For Clark, every game from now on is a chance to prove Cheryl Reeve made a huge mistake. Imagine if she returns from the playoffs with even better averages. If the Fever, with possible coaching changes, starts to really take off, the Olympics will occur right in the middle of the WNBA season. While the stars of Team USA are competing in Paris, Clark will have weeks to train, rest, and prepare for the regular season’s final sprint and playoffs.
We’re entering a phase where every shot, every assist, and every decision can change not just this season’s course but the future of American women’s basketball as a whole. At the center of it all is Caitlyn Clark, ready to show why she’s considered one of the best players of her generation.
Now I want to know your opinion: What do you think will happen in the second half of the season? Will Clark keep breaking records? Will the Fever make changes? What are you expecting from the Olympics? Leave your predictions in the comments. Let’s create a great discussion down below. If you enjoyed this analysis and want to stay on top of everything happening with the WNBA, don’t forget to like and subscribe to the channel. Hit the notification bell too so you don’t miss any videos. Thanks, guys. See you in the next video.
