Throughout Team USA’s run to the gold medal during the 2026 FIBA World Cup, one of the most noticeable things on the court was the chemistry between Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese. Fans and media have often pitted the two against each other ever since LSU’s national championship win against Iowa in 2023, but following the game, Clark set the record straight just where she stands with Reese.

“We’ve always been friends, don’t try to do that,” Clark responded when asked if she and Reese were friends now following their Team USA camaraderie. “Don’t try to do that.”

Clark then seemingly walked away from the assembled media scrum, before briefly returning to admonish the person who asked that question again.

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This isn’t the first time that the pair has displayed strong chemistry on the court. During the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, Clark and Reese played well off each other when Team WNBA beat Team USA. Their respective skill-sets complement each other extremely well. And it’s important to note that much of the chatter regarding the two comes from outside voices and not the players themselves.

Both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese came up with key plays for Team USA during their comeback win in the FIBA World Cup gold medal game. Perhaps the biggest plays from the duo came at the end of the first half. With Team USA trailing by five points, Reese came up with a huge defensive stop and steal to give them one final possession before the end of the half.

On the ensuing possession, Clark took a pass from Jackie Young and promptly buried a deep 3-point shot at the halftime buzzer to bring Team USA to within two.