Cheryl Miller Reveals What ‘Bothers’ Her About Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese’s Rivalry

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese have built one of the biggest rivalries in women’s sports, and WNBA legend Cheryl Miller believes it mirrors the iconic rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Similar to Magic and Bird, the rivalry between Clark and Reese began during the 2023 women’s national championship, when Reese’s LSU Tigers defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. But Clark got her revenge a year later in the 2024 Elite Eight.

Fast forward to their WNBA careers, both stars have found early success, earning spots on the 2024 All-Star team. However, Clark may have edged out Reese in their rookie campaigns by winning Rookie of the Year and earning All-WNBA honors.

On Friday, Miller joined Candace Parker on the latest episode of “All Facts No Brakes with Keyshawn Johnson.” The trio discussed the growing rivalry between Clark and Reese, with Miller doubling down on her comparison to the legendary Magic-Bird rivalry.

“Well, the reason I do it is, and just because I’m old school, you had Magic and Larry, who competed in college, but it has championships,” Miller said. “So, Magic won. Larry didn’t. It’s kind of like the same thing, a little, with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. But the difference is, with the men, it’s a rivalry, and it’s great theater.”

Miller went on to address the contrasting narratives between men’s and women’s sports, admitting that the way Clark and Reese’s rivalry is portrayed bothers her.

“The narrative is always different with the women,” Miller added. “We’re either petty, or jealous, envious. You know, we can’t just be… Or two people who just generally don’t like you, and that’s OK. I don’t have to like you. I respect your game and everything else. But we don’t have to be kumbaya. But it’s the narrative by the media that bothers me.”

So far in the WNBA, Clark holds the head-to-head record at 4-1. The Fever and Sky will meet three more times in the 2025 season, with the next matchup on July 27.