The cover dropped — and jaws dropped with it.
While Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever teammates smiled confidently from the front of Sports Illustrated, one WNBA rookie wasn’t smiling at all.

Sources close to the Chicago Sky say Angel Reese was fuming after the explosive new SI cover hit social media this week — with Clark front and center, once again snatching the spotlight that Reese believes she deserves. But it wasn’t just a magazine cover. It was a cultural statement. And for Reese, it’s a bitter reminder that in the league’s biggest moments, she keeps getting left out.

The Photo That Shook the League

The Sports Illustrated cover was everything the WNBA hoped for — bright, bold, and loaded with meaning. There stood Caitlin Clark, surrounded by her Fever teammates, representing the new face of the league: youthful, professional, and unapologetically fierce.

Clark — already the most followed player in women’s basketball — looked like she belonged there. Fans agreed.

“Caitlin is the moment. She’s earned every pixel of that cover,” one ESPN analyst posted.

But not everyone shared the excitement.

Angel Reese’s Silent Scorn

According to sources within the Sky organization, Reese was livid when the magazine dropped.

“She didn’t say much,” one insider said. “But the mood changed instantly. Everyone could feel it. She’s tired of being second.”

Reese didn’t publicly comment — but her social media said enough. Just hours after the SI cover went viral, Reese posted a cryptic Instagram story that read:

“They love you until they see you as competition.”

No names. No tags. But fans knew exactly who she was talking about.

“The Envy Is Loud”

This isn’t the first time tension has flared between Reese and Clark. Ever since their NCAA championship showdown, the media has drawn comparisons between the two. But as Clark continues to soar — securing endorsements, outdrawing NBA players in ratings, and now gracing the cover of SI — Reese seems stuck in a cycle of frustration and passive-aggressive jabs.

“Caitlin Clark is getting magazine covers,” one commentator noted. “Angel Reese is getting headlines for tantrums.”

Fans are starting to pick sides — and the divide is growing louder.

A League Divided?

Behind the scenes, league executives are keeping a close eye on the narrative. The WNBA has long hoped Reese and Clark would form a Magic–Bird style rivalry, driving ticket sales and media coverage.

But insiders say Reese’s attitude is becoming a liability.

“She wants the fame without the grace,” said one former WNBA player. “Caitlin earns it with poise and performance. Reese just expects it.”

When asked about the SI cover, Clark stayed classy as ever:

“It’s an honor for all of us. This league is growing, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

No shade. No flex. Just professionalism — and that’s what’s winning people over.

The Real Reason Clark Got the Cover

Some critics are already spinning the SI cover as favoritism. But the numbers tell a different story.

Caitlin Clark’s jersey sales are No. 1 in the league — by a mile.

Fever games are setting attendance records, with crowds regularly topping 17,000.

TV ratings spike every time Clark takes the floor.

Meanwhile, Reese’s performance has been inconsistent, and her off-court antics — from calling out refs to stirring race-based controversy — have made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

One fan wrote bluntly:

“You can’t demand to be the face of the league while acting like a diva on the bench.”

Media Reacts: “Clark Is Inevitable”

Sports outlets across the board applauded the cover — not just because of its visual impact, but because it marked a new era.

“This isn’t about race. This isn’t about rivalry,” wrote one SI columnist. “It’s about results. Clark is outperforming everyone — and she’s doing it with humility and leadership.”

Angel Reese may have millions of fans, but Clark has earned the respect of the league, the media, and her peers.

Reese’s Next Move: Will She Rise or Retreat?

This latest moment puts pressure on Reese to prove herself with performance, not posts.

Her stats have dropped in recent games. Coaches are reportedly pushing her to focus on fundamentals. But insiders say Reese still feels like the league is “against her” — and this SI cover may have been the final straw.

“She’s got a choice,” one WNBA vet said. “Step up and grow up — or keep watching from the sidelines while others shine.”

Final Take: Covers Don’t Lie

In the world of professional sports, covers matter. They’re more than glossy photos — they’re endorsements of greatness. And right now, Caitlin Clark is the one leading the charge.

Angel Reese might not like it. She might throw shade. She might even lash out again.

But the message from Sports Illustrated is clear:

Caitlin Clark isn’t just the future of the WNBA — she’s the now. And no amount of envy will change that.