Dawn Staley Sends Clear Message on Indiana fever, Chicago Sky Rivalry

The Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever have been pushed into WNBA prominence ever since the 2024 WNBA Draft. This netted the franchises Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, respectively, both of whom were All-Stars during their rookie seasons.

Reese broke a league record with 13.1 rebounds per contest in 2024, and Clark led the WNBA in assists as a rookie with 8.4 per game. Both landed on the All-Rookie team as well, with Clark earning the 2024 Rookie of the Year award and First-Team All-WNBA honors.

Indiana won three out of the four matchups that took place between the two teams last season, and they also won on opening day of the 2025 season by a score of 93 to 58.

On Saturday, the second game of the season between the Fever and the Sky took place at the United Center in Chicago. South Carolina women's basketball head coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame player Dawn Staley joined the pregame show to talk about the matchup.

Staley weighed in on whether or not the Sky and Fever are rivals, considering the fact that Indiana holds a 4-1 record against Chicago since the start of the 2024 season. Staley was clear in her message about the budding rivalry between the two franchises.

"It's a rivalry in which, I like to see these two teams play against each other. Whoever wins, it's a toss-up," Staley said. "For me, yeah, let's call it a rivalry."

Staley played nine total WNBA seasons, including seven for the Charlotte Sting and two for the Houston Comets. She was a five-time All-Star and a member of the 2013 class for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Reese is averaging another double-double this season, as she is contributing 10.0 points and a league-leading 12.3 rebounds per game for the 2-4 Sky. Clark has missed three straight games due to injury, but she was averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game through four contests.

The Sky and Fever will play on three more occasions this season, with the next coming on July 27 in Chicago.

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