In the world of professional basketball, rivalries are as old as the game itself. But every so often, a clash of personalities, stakes, and social media spectacle combine to create an explosion that reverberates far beyond the hardwood. This week, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky—two teams already simmering with tension—found themselves at the epicenter of the WNBA’s most talked-about feud, with veterans and rookies alike caught in the crossfire.
It all began in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Indiana Fever hosted the Chicago Sky for what was supposed to be a routine regular-season matchup. But with Caitlin Clark’s rapid rise from college phenom to WNBA headline-maker, and Angel Reese’s brash confidence fueling Chicago’s underdog narrative, nothing about this game felt ordinary.
The Incident
Midway through the game, chaos erupted. As Clark drove to the basket, she was met by Reese—who, in a split-second collision, caught a hard foul across the head. The play looked more like something out of a video game than a basketball court; one commentator joked it was “like Sonic getting smacked and all the coins flying everywhere.” The crowd gasped. Social media erupted. Within minutes, clips of the incident were trending, and fans on both sides were sharpening their digital pitchforks.
Clark, ever the competitor, shook off the hit and finished with a historic triple-double—the first ever recorded in a WNBA season opener. Reese, meanwhile, managed a double-double of her own, but the stat line did little to erase the sting of defeat or the perception that she’d been rattled by Indiana’s relentless defense.
The Fallout
As the final buzzer sounded and the Fever celebrated a blowout victory, the drama was only just beginning. The league quickly announced an investigation into the on-court confrontation, hoping to quell the escalating war of words between fan bases. But in the age of instant reactions and viral moments, there was no containing the firestorm.
Enter DeWanna Bonner—a veteran star, now third on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, and a player whose voice carries weight both on and off the court. As congratulations poured in for her milestone, Bonner took to social media to repost a fan’s message: “Congrats, DeWanna Bonner. Chicago needs to get it together after this. This is embarrassing. Teaspoon needs to make some big changes or we’ll be right back to looking like last season.”
The post, quickly deleted, was screen-captured and shared across the internet. Within hours, Bonner was trending, accused of “piling on” Chicago’s misery and mocking Reese’s “tough-girl act.” Some fans cheered her blunt honesty; others called it unprofessional. The Sky’s official account issued a terse statement condemning the comments, while rumors swirled of tension between Bonner and her former teammate, Brianna Turner, who had publicly defended Reese in the aftermath.
Locker Room Reactions
Inside Indiana’s locker room, the mood was electric. Clark, asked about the league’s investigation, dismissed the controversy: “I’m done talking about side shows. We’ll make Chicago pay on the scoreboard, not Twitter.” Her teammates echoed the sentiment, relishing the energy and unity that had propelled them to victory.
But for Chicago, the loss stung. Reese, already a lightning rod for criticism and praise alike, found herself at the center of a social media storm. Her supporters rallied around her, decrying the “constant antagonizing” she faced online. One emotional fan even declared, “If I was the coach or owner of the Sky, that would have been Angel Reese’s last game against the Fever. I’d forfeit every match in Indiana. I don’t want Angel present in that arena, not with the way she’s being treated.”
The suggestion of a boycott was quickly dismissed by the team, but it underscored the raw emotions swirling around the rivalry. Reese, for her part, stayed mostly silent, letting her game—and her supporters—speak for her.
Bonner’s Clarification
Sensing the backlash, Bonner returned to social media to clarify her intentions. “Come on now. Let’s not do this. I was literally just reposting the congratulations. I wasn’t even reading anything else. I hate this app,” she wrote. But the damage was done; the internet, as always, never forgets.
The controversy spilled into the wider WNBA community, with players, coaches, and analysts weighing in. Some defended Bonner’s right to speak her mind, citing the league’s long history of outspoken athletes. Others argued that veteran players should set a higher standard, especially with so many young stars entering the league.
The Rematch Looms
As the dust settled, one thing became clear: the next Indiana-Chicago matchup would be must-see television. Ticket prices soared, and online chatter reached a fever pitch. The league, sensing an opportunity, leaned into the drama, promoting the rematch as the most anticipated game of the young season.
For the Fever, it was a chance to prove their dominance wasn’t a fluke. For the Sky, an opportunity for redemption—and for Reese, a shot at silencing her critics. And for Bonner, Clark, Turner, and the rest, it was another chapter in a rivalry that had already transcended the box score.
Conclusion
In a league hungry for attention and respect, the Indiana-Chicago feud delivered both in spades. It was messy, passionate, and at times uncomfortable—but it was also authentic, a reminder that sports are about more than just wins and losses. They’re about pride, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we want to be.
As the WNBA season rolled on, one thing was certain: the rivalry was far from over. And for fans on both sides, that was the best news of all.
Fever Sign Angel Reese’s Former Teammate To Help Caitlin Clark
The Indiana Fever have made a few significant moves in the offseason to help build off of Caitlin Clark’s WNBA rookie season when the Fever made the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
And on Sunday, they signed another player who played with Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky last year.
After acquiring veteran players during free agency, such as forward DeWanna Bonner, guard Sophie Cunningham, and forward Natasha Howard, the Fever have now signed forward Brianna Turner, according to Chloe Peterson of IndyStar Sports.
“Brianna Turner has signed with the Indiana Fever, per the WNBA transactions page,” Peterson wrote on X. “Some depth for the Fever frontcourt.”
After playing with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2014-2019, Turner was selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2019 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream before quickly being traded to the Phoenix Mercury. Turner spent five seasons with the Mercury alongside Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, making two All-Defensive first-teams.
Before the 2024 WNBA draft, where both Clark and Reese started their professional basketball careers, Turner was traded to the Sky in exchange for Kahleah Copper. In her lone season with Chicago, Turner averaged 1.2 points and 2.0 rebounds.
Although her latest statistics don’t pop off the charts, she will be able to provide the Fever with defense and frontcourt depth.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
With all the latest moves and the signing of 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year Stephanie White, the Fever have a clear championship goal in 2025. They have even become one of the favorites to win it all. With the All-Star trio of Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell returning as well, Indiana could be in the running to win its first title since 2012.
