The Minnesota Lynx put on a clinic against the Chicago Sky in what quickly turned into one of the most lopsided matchups of the season. At the center of it all was Napheesa Collier, who not only dominated the game but thoroughly embarrassed Angel Reese on both ends of the court.

The performance was a reminder of Collier’s elite status in the WNBA and drew inevitable comparisons to Caitlin Clark, whose rise has captivated fans nationwide. For Reese, the night was a sobering reality check, exposing weaknesses that were ruthlessly exploited under the bright lights of national television.

From the opening possession, Collier established her presence. She overpowered Reese in the paint with a quick spin move for an easy layup, then followed it with a pull-up jumper on the next possession. Within the first five minutes, she had already tallied 8 points and 3 rebounds, while Reese struggled to even find touches. Every time the Sky attempted to run their offense through Reese, Collier’s defensive instincts shut down the play before it could develop. The veteran forward made it clear early: this would be her stage.

Collier’s versatility was on full display. She didn’t just score inside; she stretched the floor with her mid-range shooting, knocked down two three-pointers, and even ran point in transition. The Lynx fed off her energy, turning defense into fast-break opportunities and leaving the Sky scrambling to keep up. By the end of the first quarter, Minnesota led by double digits, and the crowd sensed that a blowout was brewing. Reese, meanwhile, had yet to register a field goal, held scoreless under Collier’s relentless defense.

The second quarter only deepened the contrast between the two stars. Collier took full control of the game, scoring 14 points in the frame alone. She abused mismatches, whether bullying smaller guards on switches or pulling up over Reese with ease. The highlight came when Collier stripped Reese on one end, sprinted the floor, and finished with a powerful and-one layup that brought Lynx fans to their feet. Reese could only shake her head, visibly frustrated as she picked up her third foul.

By halftime, the numbers told the story. Collier had 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Reese had just 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting, with 4 rebounds and 3 turnovers. ESPN’s broadcast highlighted the lopsided stat lines, with commentators noting how Collier exposed Reese’s lack of polish against elite defenders. The halftime panel didn’t hold back, questioning whether Reese was ready for the responsibility of being Chicago’s centerpiece so early in her career.

The third quarter saw Collier put the game out of reach. Minnesota went on a 17–4 run fueled entirely by Collier’s all-around brilliance. She swatted Reese at the rim, then on the very next play buried a three-pointer in her face. The sequence sent social media into a frenzy, with fans posting clips and labeling the moment as “pure humiliation.” Reese’s frustrations boiled over when she committed a flagrant foul trying to stop Collier on a fast-break dunk attempt. The Sky looked rattled, and the Lynx showed no mercy.

What stood out most about Collier’s performance wasn’t just her scoring, but her command of every aspect of the game. She finished with 34 points, 14 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists—numbers that put her in elite company. It was a masterclass in efficiency and dominance. She shot 13-of-19 from the field, controlled the glass, and was a defensive anchor. Angel Reese, on the other hand, ended the night with 7 points on 3-of-13 shooting, fouled out late in the fourth, and sat on the bench with a towel over her head as the final minutes ticked away.

The Lynx’s 98–65 blowout win sent a strong message to the rest of the league: with Collier leading the way, they are legitimate contenders. For Chicago, it exposed glaring issues in their offensive scheme and raised questions about whether Reese is ready to shoulder the responsibility of being the team’s cornerstone. While Reese has shown flashes of brilliance this season, her struggles against Collier highlighted the gap between potential and production.

Comparisons to Caitlin Clark inevitably surfaced during the broadcast and postgame commentary. Analysts pointed out that while Clark has already established herself as a transcendent star capable of breaking records on any given night, Reese remains inconsistent when faced with top-tier competition. Collier’s dismantling of Reese only sharpened the narrative: Reese may be talented, but she’s not in the same conversation as Clark—or even Collier—yet.

Collier herself remained humble after the game. “Angel is a talented young player,” she said in her postgame interview. “She’s going to have a great career. Tonight was just about us executing as a team, and I felt locked in from the start.” Still, the subtext was clear—Collier wanted to make a statement, and she did so emphatically. Reese, meanwhile, admitted frustration in her own comments, acknowledging that she has to “be stronger” and “make better decisions” against elite defenders.

For fans, the spectacle was both thrilling and polarizing. Supporters of Reese argued that one bad game shouldn’t define her, while critics pointed out that she has consistently struggled against veterans who combine strength with skill. The contrast between Collier’s polished, all-around game and Reese’s raw, developing style was glaring under the lights of a primetime broadcast. Social media debates raged well into the night, with “She’s No Caitlin Clark” trending as fans compared the trajectories of the league’s rising stars.

What this game truly underscored was the widening gap between established stars and young players still learning the ropes. Collier reminded everyone why she is a perennial All-Star, an MVP candidate, and one of the most complete players in the WNBA. Reese, though promising, was starkly reminded that dominance in college doesn’t immediately translate into professional stardom. Nights like this are part of the growth process—but they can sting all the same.

As the Lynx look ahead, Collier’s performance will undoubtedly fuel their confidence. If she continues playing at this level, Minnesota could become one of the most dangerous teams come playoff time. For Chicago, the blowout loss raises pressing questions about rotations, offensive strategy, and how to best develop Reese without exposing her weaknesses against elite competition. The season is long, but losses like this leave lasting impressions—on both the players and the fans.

In the end, the night belonged to Napheesa Collier. Her dominance was undeniable, her impact unforgettable. While Angel Reese took the brunt of the humiliation, the bigger takeaway was the reminder of what greatness looks like at the professional level. Collier showed it in every possession, every shot, every defensive stop. Reese has a long journey ahead to reach that level, and for now, the comparisons to Caitlin Clark only magnify the distance. On live television, in front of a national audience, the difference was clear: Collier is the present, Reese is still just the promise of the future.