After Team USA won its fifth consecutive FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, two WNBA rivals, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, sent WNBA fans into a frenzy as they celebrated the big win together. Team USA won the FIBA World Cup final against France with a convincing 97-79 victory on Sunday, September 13, 2026. A behind-the-scenes video shared on the WNBA's Instagram featured buzzing moments as Reese and her teammates celebrated their gold medals.
The viral moment came when Caitlin Clark appeared in the video spraying champagne, drawing massive reactions from the WNBA community. One fan wrote, "I've never wanted to be in a locker room so bad." Another added, "The world might be healing... till the WNBA starts up again." A third praised Clark, commenting, "CC is so adorable." Although Team USA maintained a flawless 6-match winning streak, fans criticized head coach Kara Lawson for not including Clark in the starting five.
Caitlin Clark came off the bench throughout the tournament, drawing criticism from Indiana Fever fans and analysts alike. Clark played a key role against the French side by scoring 12 points and 3 assists. Her performance on the court proved her immense value to the squad despite the limited playing time dictated by the coaching staff.
As the WNBA resumes its regular season, Fever star Caitlin Clark will return to action against the Toronto Tempo on Friday, September 18, 2026. Supporters eagerly anticipate how this celebratory camaraderie off the court will translate into fierce competition when the domestic league resumes play.