Caitlin Clark candidly comments on ROTY duel with Angel Reese: “Me and Angel would both give you the same answer"

Caitlin Clark has a clear stance on the ongoing WNBA Rookie of the Year race with Angel Reese. The two young players have made a strong impression this season, becoming favorites to take this award home, but also helping their respective teams get closer to the postseason.

Ahead of the final regular-season duel against Reese and the Sky, Clark shared her thoughts on the competition that the media has tried to push all season long, making it clear that she and Reese have a bigger goal than the ROY award.

“Me and Angel would both give you the same answer. You don’t wake up and think about individual awards. I know that’s what all of you think we do. I know we don't. I know that’s what everybody wants to make this about.”

"Both of our teams are competing for playoff spots. That's our main focus. That's a selfish thing to just care about an individual award. If she wouldn't give you the exact same answer--I'm sure she has been giving you the exact same answer. Everybody can write that, but our focus is on winning basketball games. As simple as that," Clark added.

Ever since the league resumed from the Olympic break, the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky have taken different directions.Led by Caitlin Clark's stellar play (22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.8 assists in her last five), the Fever are the second-winningest team since Aug. 16, boasting a 4-1 record. The Sky, on the other side, have won only one game against five losses.

Indiana ranks third in points per game with 87.6 while the Sky are last with 74.7. The Fever are shooting 44.7% from the field against 41.1% from the Sky. When it comes to rebounds, the Sky got the edge over the Fever by only .7 per game.

The Sky (11-19) are still in the eighth and final playoff spot, but if they don't turn things around, the Atlanta Dream, who are right behind them in the standings, can ruin their plans.

Analyst says Caitlin Clark could be in the mix for major WNBA award over Angel Reese

In addition to the Rookie of the Year award, WNBA analyst Rebecca Lobo says Caitlin Clark could be an MVP candidate at the end of this season.

"Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, they've been in the Rookie of the Year conversation, but the question is, can either of them enter the MVP conversation?

"I would not be shocked if we found Caitlin Clark in that conversation by the end of the year," Lobo said. "Because of the impact she's had on winning, the impact she has had on that franchise and the numbers that she's putting up in particular on the offensive end."

If Clark does go on to win MVP, she would become the first player since Candace Parker in 2008 to claim the award as a rookie.

In 31 games, Caitlin Clark is averaging 18 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.1 assists per outing, shooting 41.4% from the field and 90.1% from the free-throw line.