The United States women’s national basketball team opened its 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualification campaign with a commanding statement in San Juan, overpowering the Senegal women’s national basketball team 110–46 in Group A play. The result itself left little doubt about the gap in talent, with stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers leading the American roster. However, the internet quickly shifted its attention to a brief sideline moment involving Clark and Angel Reese that sparked a wave of online debate.
The clip surfaced late in the second quarter at the Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot. During a routine substitution, Clark greeted several teammates as they rotated onto the court.
When Reese extended her arm for a quick high five, the exchange did not happen. The moment was enough for fans to revisit the long-running rivalry narrative surrounding the two WNBA stars.
Caitlin Clark visibly ignored Angel Reese in a celebration moment during World Cup qualifiers
The sequence occurred with 4:56 left in the second quarter as Team USA prepared to send a fresh unit onto the floor. Caitlin Clark welcomed teammates stepping into the game, exchanging greetings with Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray before shaking hands with Monique Billings near the bench.
Angel Reese also reached out for a quick slap of hands. Clark turned away at the same time and appeared to look elsewhere, leaving Reese with her arm extended for a moment. Seconds later, Rhyne Howard stepped over and completed the gesture so Reese would not remain hanging.
The play resumed quickly afterward. Clark soon delivered an assist that pushed the score to 39–15 when Kiki Iriafen finished a layup under the basket.
The brief interaction fueled conversation online, including a reaction from Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports. He posted, “I don’t think Caitlin saw Angel, but I really really hope she did.”
Both players have repeatedly pushed back on the idea that their competition extends beyond the court. In a previous interview with Time magazine, Clark addressed the perception surrounding their relationship.
“We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another,” Clark said.
Reese also clarified the situation in her own words: “I don’t think people realize it’s not personal. If I see you walking down the street, it’s like, ‘Hey, girl, what’s up? Let’s hang out.’ I think people just take it like we hate each other.”
WNBA analyst revealed a major problem with Team USA in the World Cup
Away from the viral clip, analysts focused on how Team USA performed on the floor. The roster produced two comfortable wins to begin the qualifying tournament, including the dominant result against Senegal and another lopsided victory over Puerto Rico women’s national basketball team.
Clark’s return to international competition stood out. The Indiana Fever guard scored 17 points and recorded 12 assists in the win over Senegal, guiding the offense with calm decision-making.
Bueckers also made a strong impact. The former UConn Huskies women’s basketball star led the scoring effort against Puerto Rico with 16 points, earning Player of the Game honors.
Despite the results, Robin Lundberg pointed to areas that still need improvement. The WNBA analyst noted that parts of the Puerto Rico game lacked rhythm.
Lundberg described the team as “just out of sync top to bottom,” adding that stretches of the performance felt “a little bit of a rough watch.”
Reese recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Clark’s playmaking and Bueckers’ scoring also offered glimpses of the roster’s potential.
The United States now prepares for the next phase of group play, where matchups against the Italy women’s national basketball team, the New Zealand women’s national basketball team, and the Spain women’s national basketball team await as the team continues its path toward the 2026 World Cup in Berlin.
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