Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers reignited their rivalry on the professional stage, marking their first matchup since Bueckers’ UConn team lost to Clark’s Iowa in the 2024 Final Four. The highly anticipated moment basketball fans had been waiting for came on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where respect and fierce competition blended in what was arguably the most awaited WNBA game of the season.
How Did Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers Handle Their First Pro Showdown?
When asked about her experience playing against Clark, Bueckers kept it simple and said, “We’re two competitors who just want to win.” That eight-word response captured everything about their relationship. No drama, no manufactured beef, just two elite players who bring out the best in each other.
Clark’s take on their friendship showed the same maturity. The Fever star told the media, “We’ve always been friends. I wouldn’t say we’re best friends and talk all the time. It’s hard when you end up going your separate ways and are at different colleges… I’ve always been a fan of hers and always been supportive.”
The mutual respect runs deep. Clark explained how she stays connected to Bueckers’ game: “I watch as much as I can, just ‘cos I love basketball, and I love people who compete and make their team better, and that’s what she’s always been able to do.
“I just admire the way she plays, admire the confidence she has in herself. Every single night, she steps up to the challenge. She doesn’t shy away from anything. You know, as a competitor, that’s what you really love.”
Clark also praised Bueckers’s leadership qualities, noting that those abilities were evident during her time at UConn. The Fever guard emphasized that Bueckers is “certainly a leader” and has become Dallas’s “voice” since joining the WNBA.
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