Clark Grins After Reese Misses Game-Winning Layup

Caitlin Clark may have created the WNBA’s next great meme.

An ESPN camera caught the Indiana Fever star grinning behind a devastated Angel Reese moments after Reese missed a point-blank putback that could have won Sunday night’s thriller in regulation.

Whether Clark was laughing at her longtime rival, reacting in disbelief, or simply relieved that Indiana had escaped remains unclear.

The camera angle nevertheless told a brutal visual story.

With the game tied at 81, Rhyne Howard missed a three-pointer in the closing seconds. Reese grabbed the rebound on the right side of the basket with Aliyah Boston behind her and little resistance between Reese and the winning basket.

The putback never cleared the right side of the rim.

Naz Hillmon recovered the ball and attempted another layup, but Boston smothered the shot as time expired. Clark watched from across the court.

As Reese’s teammates consoled her, Clark walked toward the Fever bench wearing a broad smile and looking in the direction of her college rival.

The Fever took control in overtime and won 95-91.

Clark finished with 26 points and nine assists, then sank two free throws with 9.8 seconds remaining to secure Indiana’s fourth consecutive victory and its 11th win in 14 games.

But the final score quickly took a back seat online to the image of Clark smiling behind Reese.

OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis predicted the moment would live far beyond Sunday’s game.

“Angel Reese missed a wide open lay up to win the game and Caitlin Clark laughing behind her as she reacts to the miss is going to be a meme for a long time,” Travis wrote on X.

Clark and Reese have been linked since their college careers, so every confrontation, gesture, and facial expression between them receives intense scrutiny.

There is no proof Clark’s smile was directed at Reese.

The internet has already rendered its verdict anyway.

Angel Reese missed a wide open lay up to win the game and Caitlin Clark laughing behind her as she reacts to the miss is going to be a meme for a long time. pic.twitter.com/v33XufzO5u

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) August 17, 2026