They are usually framed as rivals, but this summer Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showed what happens when they play on the same side.

Coming off the bench for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, the two helped the Americans go 6-0 and win a fifth straight gold medal. And the most eye-catching part was how well they connected with each other.

Clark led the tournament team with 32 assists, averaging a team-high 5.3 per game along with 7.8 points and 2.2 rebounds. Seven of those 32 assists set up Reese, who averaged 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

The chemistry was on full display in the quarterfinal against Hungary. Clark assisted on all six of Reese’s first-half points, finding her repeatedly in transition and in the half court. Reese returned the favor with a helper to Clark in the third quarter.

WNBA legend Candace Parker took notice. On the latest episode of the “Post Moves” podcast, Parker described the Clark-Reese connection as “special” and noted how much buzz it generated online.

It is a useful reminder that the rivalry narrative only tells part of the story. On Sunday, they were back on opposite sides of a playoff race — Reese earning her first postseason win with Atlanta while Clark and Indiana dropped Game 1 to Las Vegas. But for six games this summer, they were simply teammates, and the result was gold.

For fans, it is also a glimpse of what a future Olympic pairing could look like if both stay healthy and in form.