Shivatmika Manvi is an Olympic Sports writer at EssentiallySports. She writes about the diverse worlds of equestrian sports and rodeo, whilst maneuvering through the realm of gymnastics. Closely following the paths of showjumping icon Jennifer Gates and Dressage maestro Christian Simonson, Shivatmika gives readers a platform to know more about their favorite jockeys. In the realm of bull riding, she brings insights on Sage Kimzey, portraying the thrill and courage required in this fast-paced sport. Furthermore, the X, formerly Twitter, handle of Professional Bull Riding (PBR) shared her article about bull riding champion Dakota Buttar, recognizing her expertise.

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 It’s been ten days since the beginning of the Unrivaled season, and the team is on a real high. But the truly anticipated battle came on January 27th, as Angel Reese hit the court to lock horns against Kate Martin. As always with basketball, though, it wasn’t just the action on the court that had people talking. Fans were quick to voice their opinions after a fiery moment between the two. It all began after a back-and-forth first quarter. As Reese drove to the basket with just under a minute left, she collided with Martin mid-air. Reese crashed to the floor, and Martin was called for a foul. The Chicago Sky standout missed the shot but made her free throw, worth two points in the Unrivaled format. In the next quarter, the Chicago Sky star hit a three as Martin stepped ahead to defend. Well, this is might merely be a glimpse of the next big stars and a possible rivalry. The current Golden State Valkyries player, Kate Martin, has experienced immense success thus far. Not only is her Laces team a perfect 3-0 in the young season, but she has also showcased improvement in both her offensive and defensive capabilities. “Now she’s getting a little more run, and getting to play, and playing free,” Clark shared in a recent interview about Martin. “I think people are just seeing her confidence grow and grow. So just like I said, I’m really happy for her, and hopefully, I can recruit her to the Fever somehow, some way one day, who knows? I’m gonna try to figure that out.” For her, the goal at some point is to “team up with Kate.” After a historical run at the Iowa together, Unrivaled could be the next destination we see the two in a team. Alex Bazzell has left the offer on the table for whenever Clark’s ready and the Fever star hasn’t dismissed the idea for the future either. But that’s for another day. Currently, as Reese and the former Hawkeye had a go at each other, a few fans weren’t excited about the outcome. ANGEL REESE SHINES IN UNRIVALED, BUT FANS RALLY BEHIND MARTIN IN FIERY SHOWDOWN It didn’t take long for things to heat up between Reese’s Rose Basketball Club and Martin’s Laces Basketball Club. The foul called on Martin, according to fans, wasn’t justified. They rather accused the Chi-Town Barbie of flopping. “Nice flop,” a user wrote, while another added, “Didn’t even touch her….” Martin’s knee, however, did come in contact with Reese as the two jumped, making for a hard foul. The Sky #5 crashed to ground and slid courtside following the collide. One user had a sarcastic comment to add to the moment. Angel Reese [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Angel-Reese-1-15.jpg]https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Angel-Reese-1-15.jpgJan 17, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Angel Reese (5) of the Rose takes a moment against the Vinyl during a timeout in the first half of the Unrivaled women’s professional 3v3 basketball league at Wayfair Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images “OMG Kate almost sent Barbie back to the bayou,” they joked. No matter the final call and review, spectators weren’t convinced. “Hard foul… Hahaha. Hardly a foul,” said another. Reese converted one of her free throws after the foul, but things weren’t looking great for her team, as they fell to Martin’s Laces 71-64. The Chi-Town Barbie finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds. On the other hand, Martin played 15 minutes and had 7 points with 6 rebounds contribution. She would, however, finish with 4 fouls. Despite that, it was Martin’s Laces who came out on top thanks to strong performances from Kayla McBride (31 points, 9 rebounds) and Tiffany Hayes (24 points, 11 rebounds). For Reese, this loss adds to an already challenging season, leaving her team at a disappointing 1-3 record. But despite the struggles, Reese and Martin continue to bring excitement to the court in every game they play. The Unrivaled league may have a lot of drama, but it also has a lot of talent. 

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s ex-teammates' Unrivaled showdown heats up in a hard-fought 71-64 loss for Rose Basketball Club.

Yashika Dutta is a Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympics. A member of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, she specializes in the high-stakes energy of college basketball, with features on the Big Ten Conference and the chaos of March Madness that bring fans right to the hardwood. 

Her coverage has even caught the attention of UConn coaches and Olympian Rori Dunk, earning her recognition for both accuracy and insight. A former state-level basketball player, Yashika channels her on-court experience into reporting that captures the game’s intensity beyond the box score. With a player’s sense of timing and a journalist’s instinct for storytelling, she shines a light on rising stars like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, while unpacking the pressures and triumphs that shape college hoops.  

Whether charting a Big Ten rivalry or chronicling the ethos of March Madness, Yashika connects fans to the heart of the game with energy and authenticity.

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Angel Reese Accused of Flopping as She Goes Back & Forth With Caitlin Clark’s
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Angel Reese Accused of Flopping as She Goes Back &#038; Forth With Caitlin Clark’s Ex-Teammate in Unrivaled

Angel Reese Accused of Flopping as She Goes Back & Forth With Caitlin Clark’s Ex-Teammate in Unrivaled - EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports is a U.S.-based sports media platform built for modern fandom. We go beyond headlines to create storylines powered by athletes, fans, data, and culture, giving equal energy to the mainstream and the overlooked.

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Yashika Dutta is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports who actively covers NCAA Division 1 basketball. With more than two years of content creation experience, she showcased her journalistic skills by covering the 2023 Big Ten Volleyball Championships and the 2023 NCAA Division 1 Womenâ€™s Volleyball Championships before shifting to the thrilling world of the NBA. As a former state-level basketball player, Yashika brings her dynamic energy to the NBA team. Basketball isn't just a subject of her journalistic endeavors; it's a passion deeply ingrained in her past. From Caitlin Clark to JuJu Watkins, she covers the budding superstars in college basketball, keeping a keen eye on their futures.

Angel Reese Accused of Flopping as She Goes Back & Forth With Caitlin Clark’s Ex-Teammate in Unrivaled

Angel Reese Accused of Flopping as She Goes Back & Forth With Caitlin Clark’s Ex-Teammate in Unrivaled

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