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In what’s quickly becoming the most intense rookie season the WNBA has seen in over a decade, Angel Reese added another chapter to her growing list of controversial moments — but this time, karma struck back immediately.
During a high-stakes matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever, Reese tried to send a message — not to Caitlin Clark directly, but to NaLyssa Smith, Clark’s longtime friend and frontcourt ally. It backfired in spectacular fashion, igniting fan fury, drawing sideline reprimands, and ultimately setting the stage for what many are calling the “moment the locker rooms fully split.”
The phrase “instant karma” began trending within 30 minutes of the incident. But what really happened — and why did it shake the court so deeply?
The Incident: When Aggression Crossed the Line
It was late in the second quarter. The Fever were beginning to find their rhythm. Smith, working inside, grabbed an offensive board and tried to muscle it up — when Angel Reese came crashing down on her with what appeared to be an intentional hard foul.
Referees immediately blew the whistle. But what caught everyone’s attention wasn’t the foul — it was Reese’s body language.
She stood over Smith, stared her down, then appeared to clap once, muttering something under her breath.
Smith got up, unbothered. Clark walked over, offering a hand. Reese turned and jogged away with a smirk.
“It wasn’t basketball. It was a message,” said one analyst courtside. “But it was the wrong message, at the wrong time — and to the wrong player.”
NaLyssa Smith Responds — With Her Game
On the very next play, Smith took the ball at the top of the key, drove directly at Reese — and scored. Crowd erupts. Benches rise. Clark fist-pumps.
No trash talk. No taunts. Just pure, clean basketball revenge.
“That’s the best kind of clapback,” ESPN’s Andraya Carter posted.
“Smith let her game do the screaming.”
Reese was subbed out minutes later and did not return until the fourth quarter. By then, the Fever had blown the game wide open — and the Sky were playing catch-up.
Social Media: “You Tried It. You Failed.”
The hashtag #InstantKarma began trending nationwide within minutes of halftime.
On Twitter/X:
“Reese tried to send a message and got one back — with interest.”
“Clark’s got a team. And they’re done playing nice.”
On TikTok:
A slowed-down version of Smith’s retaliation bucket was synced with the audio: “You messed with the wrong one.” Over 2 million views in 4 hours.
On Reddit:
A top comment:
“You wanna be the villain? Fine. But don’t be shocked when the heroes fight back.”
Why NaLyssa Smith Matters in This Story
NaLyssa Smith may not be a rookie like Clark and Reese, but she’s central to this growing rivalry. Drafted in 2022, she’s been a quiet force for Indiana — and one of Clark’s earliest supporters in the Fever locker room.
Many fans credit her with shielding Clark from early on-court targeting and helping establish chemistry that’s turning into results.
“She’s the protector,” one Fever staffer told Fox Sports Angle. “She won’t shout or tweet. But if you cross the line — she’ll answer.”
The Bigger Picture: A League Boiling Over
Reese’s attempt to intimidate Smith came just days after she returned from a league-issued suspension over a viral TikTok mocking Clark. Tensions were already sky-high. This game only turned up the heat.
“The WNBA wants storylines. Well, now they’ve got a full-blown war,” said Fox analyst Marcellus Wiley.
And the divide isn’t just between players. It’s between philosophies.
Do you build your brand through performance — or provocation?
Do you rise with respect — or rile up fans for relevance?
What Reese Said Postgame — and What She Didn’t
When asked about the foul on Smith, Reese brushed it off:
“It’s physical. This is the WNBA. If you can’t handle it, maybe you’re in the wrong league.”
She didn’t mention Smith by name. She didn’t reference the fallout online. But her tone said plenty.
Her coach offered little clarity, saying only, “We play hard. Always will.”
But critics weren’t buying it.
“Physical is one thing. Performative aggression is another,” tweeted sportswriter Dave Zirin.
“Reese is becoming less Dennis Rodman and more TikTok heel. That’s not helping her — or the league.”
Caitlin Clark: Quiet Strength Again
As expected, Caitlin Clark avoided the drama. When asked about the moment between Reese and Smith, she pivoted:
“Lyss is tough. She doesn’t need defending. She is the defender.”
Clark finished the game with 24 points, 9 assists, and — once again — zero trash talk.
Fans noticed.
“Reese plays with emotion. Clark plays with control. Guess who keeps winning?” one fan wrote.
A Rivalry That’s Now Beyond Clark vs. Reese
This was supposed to be about two rookies.
But now? It’s about teams, ideologies, and how the WNBA handles personality in the age of virality.
And after what happened with Smith — the league can no longer pretend this is just good TV.
Because the crowd was tense. The cameras were rolling.
And when Reese tried to make a statement — it was Smith who delivered the final word.
