INDIANAPOLIS — Angel Reese sat alone on the visiting bench, smiling and chatting through a pregame TV interview. Outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, thousands of fans in new gear waited to file in for the only game on the WNBA schedule this Saturday. It was a matinee moved into a sweeter TV spot without any same-time tip-offs. Even the NBA is on a mini break before the Finals.
Shortly afterward, fans would stream down to that same corner, pushing for autographs from No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark. The only cheers they’d offer during the opponents’ quick monotone introductions were for Reese.