It didn’t take long for ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to unleash a scathing, unfiltered tirade after Angel Reese’s controversial behavior following Caitlin Clark’s standout performance went viral. And this time, even Reese’s staunchest supporters were stunned into silence.
The “First Take” host, never one to mince words, called out Angel Reese by name, accusing her of jealousy, disrespect, and undermining everything the WNBA claims to stand for. It was the kind of raw, no-holds-barred commentary that only Smith can deliver — and it set social media on fire.
“That’s not confidence. That’s not swag. That’s petty. That’s sabotage,” Smith thundered on air. “You don’t pull that stunt on someone carrying the weight of the league on her back!”
The clip has since exploded online, racking up over 5 million views in under 12 hours — and reigniting the biggest rivalry in women’s basketball.
The Incident: What Angel Reese Did
During a high-profile matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, Caitlin Clark delivered yet another jaw-dropping performance — 29 points, 8 assists, and a fourth-quarter takeover that left fans breathless.
But what drew just as much attention happened after the final buzzer.
As Clark walked off the court, Angel Reese — who had fouled out with over six minutes remaining — was caught on camera making an exaggerated “yawn” gesture from the bench, followed by what appeared to be sarcastic clapping and muttered words to teammates.
The moment wasn’t broadcast live, but clips taken from courtside fan videos hit TikTok and Twitter within minutes. And they hit hard.
“What Angel did wasn’t just shady,” one fan posted. “It was embarrassing. For her — and for the league.”
Stephen A Smith’s Rant: “She’s Making It Personal — And That’s the Problem”
On Monday morning, Stephen A. took to his desk with fire in his voice.
“Angel Reese is talented. She’s got charisma. She’s got presence. But right now, she’s acting like the WNBA isn’t big enough for two stars.”
“Let me be very clear: Caitlin Clark is the reason the world is watching. And instead of elevating the moment, Angel tried to drag it down.”
Smith went on to criticize not just Reese’s actions, but the league’s silence on the growing tension between its top two rookies.
“Where’s the WNBA? Where’s the leadership? You want to be the next big thing in sports? Start acting like it. Right now, you’re looking like high school drama with professional jerseys on.”
League & Media: Still No Statement
As of this article’s publication, neither the WNBA nor the Chicago Sky organization have released a comment about the video or Smith’s remarks.
Caitlin Clark, per usual, remained silent. When asked postgame about Reese’s behavior, she simply said:
“I’m here to hoop. I’ll let my game speak.”
But fans and analysts aren’t as willing to let it slide.
“This isn’t a rivalry anymore,” said WNBA reporter Holly Rowe. “This is turning into a distraction — and it’s going to hurt both of them if it keeps going.”
Social Media Reactions: Fanbase Divided
As expected, the online response split into two camps.
Pro-Clark fans praised Smith for “saying what needed to be said” and accused Reese of acting out of jealousy and immaturity.
Reese supporters argued that she’s being unfairly targeted — again — and pointed to years of double standards in how emotional expression is treated between players of different backgrounds.
But even among Reese’s fans, some are growing weary of the headlines.
“Love her, but this ain’t it,” one comment read. “It’s time to hoop, not mock.”
The Bigger Picture: WNBA’s Image Problem Just Got Worse
Stephen A.’s comments didn’t just call out Reese — they highlighted a deeper crisis inside the WNBA: how to manage star power, rivalries, and a media narrative that’s spiraling out of the league’s control.
“You’ve got one player raising the roof and another throwing shade,” Smith said. “How is that a winning formula?”
With ticket sales booming in Indiana and stagnating in Chicago… with one rookie making highlights and another making headlines… the divide is becoming a chasm.
And the league’s reluctance to address it publicly is only making it worse.
Final Word: “Grow Up, or Get Out of the Way”
Stephen A. closed his segment with a blistering statement that many fans are already turning into viral quote cards:
“This ain’t college anymore. This is the WNBA. If you’re not here to build — you’re here to block. And if you’re blocking what the fans are trying to build? You don’t belong.”
In a league starved for attention, one rookie is delivering it. The other is dismantling it — one stunt at a time.
The ball is now in Angel Reese’s court.
