Angel Reese Tried to Take Over Caitlin Clark’s City — But the Silence Was Louder Than the Applause

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rematch poised to be most expensive WNBA game ever | CNN Business

Angel Reese entered the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend with a bold plan: take over Indianapolis — Caitlin Clark’s home turf — and flip the narrative. Reebok backed her fully, launching a high-profile campaign with LED billboards, branded trucks, and the defiant slogan: “I’m in your city.”

But just 24 hours before her moment, Clark withdrew due to a groin injury. Suddenly, Reese’s campaign lacked its key contrast. No rival. No tension. Just noise — and a growing silence.

Though Reese showed up with poise and presence, the atmosphere shifted. Fans asked about Clark. Jerseys with No. 22 sold out. Reese’s, however, didn’t. The cheers? Polite. The energy? Muted. The city hadn’t rejected Reese — it just wasn’t ready to embrace a “takeover” without its hometown hero present.

Social media turned reflective. ESPN pundits questioned the campaign’s tone. And a now-viral image captured it all: Reese’s glowing billboard at 2:13 AM… lighting up an empty street.

In the end, Reese took the stage. But without Clark, it wasn’t a rivalry — it was a monologue.

And sometimes, even the brightest spotlight can feel incredibly lonely.