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Caitlin Clark and the Fever (1-8) are enduring a difficult start to the 2024 WNBA season.

The production of the No. 1 overall pick is one silver lining. And Clark is getting better as she gets more games under her belt, giving reason for Indiana to expect better days ahead.

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Clark will face a familiar foe Saturday in Sky rookie Angel Reese, as the collegiate rivals meet for the first time as professionals. Could the Fever start their turnaround against the Sky?

Chicago is off to a 3-3 start despite missing No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso so far due to a preseason shoulder injury. With Cardoso expected to return for Sunday’s matchup with Indiana, the Sky certainly seem to be closer to contention than the Fever.

Reese is one major reason for Sky fans to be excited about what’s to come. The former LSU star is just getting started at the WNBA level, and there’s no doubt she will be motivated when Chicago rolls into Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face Clark.

Here’s a look at how Clark and Reese stack up statistically through the opening weeks of their WNBA careers.

Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese, by the numbers

Both Clark and Reese have had their share of ups and downs to start their respective WNBA careers.

Clark is showing off her abilities as a scorer and playmaker, posting 17.5 points and 6.6 assists per game. But as the Fever’s point guard, her prominent ball-handling role has resulted in a high number of turnovers. Clark committed 10 turnovers in her debut, and she racked up six or more turnovers in five of her first nine games.

While Clark appeared to be making real progress by limiting turnovers in back-to-back games against the Storm and Sparks on May 22 and 24, she’s committed at least six turnovers in each of her last three games.

Those same problems haven’t followed Reese, but the LSU product isn’t in the same ball-handling role and naturally doesn’t pass nearly as much.

Rebounding is one of Reese’s greatest strengths, and she’s taken advantage with 8.2 rebounds per game. Reese recorded a career-high 12 rebounds against the Storm on May 28, posting her first double-double, and she has scored in double-digits in five of her six WNBA games.

Both Clark and Reese have struggled with efficiency, which is not uncommon for rookies. They have nearly identical marks from the field, each shooting just over 37% to this point.

The field goal percentage might be more concerning for Reese, as she isn’t attempting long-range shots at the same clip as Clark is. In fact, Reese has just two 3-point attempts on the season compared to Clark’s 75 attempts. The 6-3 forward is expected to be more efficient given that she works closer to the rim, so that’s an area in which the Sky rookie needs to improve.

Clark is undoubtedly less than thrilled with her shooting marks as well. She only shot 50% or better in one of her first nine games and was held under 12 points in matchups with the Liberty, Sparks and Aces. The former Iowa sensation showed what she’s capable of with a 30-point explosion Tuesday, so the potential is very much still there as Clark continues to settle in at the highest level.

Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese college matchups

Reese went 4-1 against Clark during their college careers. Here’s a complete look at all five of their matchups:

Reese faced Clark three times while playing for Maryland, including twice as a role player in her freshman season. While Clark scored a combined 55 points in those two games during their freshman seasons, Maryland got the better of Iowa in each.

Clark’s first and only win over Reese didn’t come until the Elite Eight just two months ago, when she scored 41 points in a victory that sent Iowa to the Final Four. That win was sweet revenge for Clark, coming a year after the Hawkeyes lost to Reese and LSU in the national championship game.

While Clark never did win a national title at Iowa, the Clark-Reese rivalry — which, by all accounts, is a friendly one — is just beginning and reignites on Saturday in Indianapolis.