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Caitlin Clark had 20 points, six assists and four 3-pointers, and the Indiana Fever beat the Connecticut Sun 88-71 on Tuesday night in a physical game that included three late ejections.
With 46.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Connecticut guard Jacy Sheldon made a steal and raced the other way before being wrapped up by Sophie Cunningham under the basket for a hard foul. Sheldon got up quickly and got into a shoving match with Cunningham, leading to Cunningham, Sheldon, and Lindsay Allen all getting ejected.
Sheldon was also the center of another official review in the third quarter after she poked Clark in the eye, and then Marina Mabrey came in late to shove Clark to the floor. Three technical fouls were called, leading to Clark’s three free throws for a 58-45 lead.
The Indiana win, combined with an Atlanta loss to New York, secured the Fever’s spot in the Commissioner’s Cup with a 4-1 record. The Fever held the tiebreaker with the Liberty after a 102-88 win on Saturday.
Kelsey Mitchell added 17 points and Natasha Howard had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Indiana (6-5), which went above .500 for the first time since the third game of the season. Damiris Dantas scored a season-high 13, and Howard secured her 50th career double-double.
Tina Charles led Connecticut (2-9) with 20 points. Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 14 points, and Jaelyn Brown scored 13.
Clark, who returned from an injury on Saturday to make seven 3-pointers against New York, made her first three 3-pointers against the Sun and scored 12 points in the first half to help Indiana build a 47-39 lead.
Connecticut was within 50-43 with 8:15 remaining in the third quarter but did not make another field goal until the 2:49 mark to trail by 12 points.
Clark’s fourth 3-pointer made it 84-64.
Caitlin Clark didn't just return to the court- she stormed back with the kind of energy only she can deliver. Fans had been eagerly waiting to see her back in action, and from the moment she stepped on the floor, it was clear: her competitiveness hadn't skipped a beat. In fact, it looked like it had only grown stronger during the five games she missed due to injury.
But that same intensity showed something else, too-something raw and maybe even a little uncomfortable. Frustration. Not with the opponent, but seemingly with her own team. Clark's drive to win is undeniable, but when things don't go her way, that energy can start to turn inward. And when that happens, it's not always pretty.
We're throwing hands in the air now
Winning is the ultimate goal. Always has been. And for Clark, that goal is crystal clear. But basketball isn't a solo act. It's a team sport-and moments like these remind us that no matter how great a player is, the team comes first. When things don't unfold the way she envisions them, her body language tends to do most of the talking-and not always in the best way.
The Indiana Fever had to adapt during her absence, going 2-3 and landing at 4-5 overall to start the 2025 season. But Clark finally suited up again, facing the New York Liberty for the second time this year-and she came out red-hot. By halftime, she had already poured in 25 points. Still, it wasn't all smooth sailing.
Clark's fire fuels the Fever
Midway through the game, one moment stood out. Natasha Howard had the ball in the low post while Clark, stationed beyond the arc, called for it. She made her move toward Howard, expecting the dish. But Howard held on, made a few dribbles, and scored herself. From a distance, Clark stood visibly annoyed, throwing up her hands multiple times-her frustration playing out in plain sight.
It didn't take long for fans to notice. Social media lit up, with some pointing out that while Clark may be the face of the team, no one is above showing respect to teammates. Sure, she's a fan favorite-but even favorites need to grow. This wasn't just about one missed pass. It was about the optics. The kind that don't just affect individual relationships, but the whole vibe of a team trying to build chemistry.
She's here to win- but at what cost?
Clark's reaction even sparked criticism aimed at head coach Steph White. Some fans argued that letting these visible displays of frustration slide reflected a lack of leadership, possibly a maturity issue. When a star player's attitude spills over, it doesn't just impact that moment; it affects the whole culture. And that's a slippery slope, especially for a young team still trying to find its rhythm.
In the end, Clark's fire is her superpower; even superpowers need direction. If she wants to lead this team not just in points but in spirit, harnessing that intensity with poise might be the biggest play she makes this season.
Caitlin Clark is redefining what it means to be a superstar athlete in America. Just a sophomore in the WNBA, the Indiana Fever guard has not only dazzled with her on-court performances but has also ignited a cultural movement that's propelling women's basketball into unprecedented territory.
Her appeal, influence, and reach are so profound that some analysts now argue she could soon become the most famous active American athlete.
During a recent episode of The Herd, analyst Nick Wright stirred the sports world by making a bold comparison. "Once Steph [Curry] and LeBron [James] retire, will there be an active American athlete more famous than her?" he asked. Host Colin Cowherd didn't hesitate: "No."
Wright went on to compare Clark's fame to that of sports legends, asserting she may already surpass every active baseball, hockey, and even most NFL players-except perhaps Patrick Mahomes. She's already eclipsed all but a handful of NBA stars in name recognition, he argued, and no one appears poised to catch her.
The Caitlin Clark effect is changing everything
The numbers back up Wright's claim. Her June 14 matchup against the undefeated New York Liberty averaged 2.2 million viewers and peaked at 2.8 million-ranking as one of the most-watched WNBA games in history. The broadcast saw a 76% increase in viewership over the same time slot last year.
And Clark wasn't just present- she delivered a breathtaking performance, scoring 32 points and draining three long-range threes in under 40 seconds.
When Clark missed time due to a quad injury, TV ratings for Fever games dropped by 55%, according to Yahoo Sports. This drop highlights just how pivotal her presence is, not only to her team but to the entire league.
Dubbed the "Caitlin Clark Effect," her influence goes far beyond television. Fever home games are selling out, sponsorship revenue has surged, and her jersey is among the most in-demand across all sports.
Merchandise sales and attendance across the WNBA have soared-viewership league-wide is up 14% this year alone.
She's also bringing attention to other WNBA stars. Veterans like Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson, and rising names like Angel Reese, are all benefiting from the increased spotlight.
Clark's impact is reminiscent of what Tiger Woods did for golf or Serena Williams for tennis. As Cowherd put it, "She's literally changing the entire league economy." If Nick Wright's prediction proves accurate, Caitlin Clark isn't just the face of the WNBA- she may soon be the most famous athlete in American sports.
The ongoing fan-fight between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark is a big deal in the current WNBA that goes way back to their school days. While their games and performances on the court have pulled in fans, the way they deal with social media has been a differentiating factor in how the public eye defines the stars.
Caitlin keeps a low-profile style, only uploading staff related to her personal life and interests, whereas Angel uses her accounts as a way of self-promotion, providing her followers with posts highlighting her stats and the records she keeps on breaking. This differences have given their fans and haters a lot to talk about.
Reese's big game and posts online
After Clark's strong game coming back from an injury, leading her team, the Indiana Fever, to beat the top New York Liberty, Reese had a great game too last weekend when the Chicago Sky won against the Connecticut Sun. As a forward for the Chicago Sky, Reese got her first triple-double, giving her team a needed win.
Still, while people talked a lot about Clark's performance, Reese did things her own way. She went on social media and shared her big numbers and kind words from fans and news outlets. Some people commented that Angel put her own wins first, more than the team's overall performance, just to seem better than the Indiana Fever star.
Clark lets her play do the talking
Clark, on the other hand, is more used to keeping things simple. Even as one of the league's big stars, her online posts are rarely about herself, unlike Reese's, which is true and looks more self-promotional than anything else. Clark has her focus on the team's success, engaging with fans and sponsors, but not just about bragging about her own accomplishments.
This has made fans talk. Some people like Reese's bold style and her smart self-promotion, as she is a brand, a model, an influencer, and a social media personality, which perfectly suits the elite and pro sports life profile. Some other people think Clark's quiet way and focus on the game make her stand out a bit more than her fan-called rival. They consider that she has nothing to promote as she speaks in the court.
Beneficial for the WNBA
This Reese-Clark fan-made rivalry has for sure made more people watch the WNBA, exactly like the famous NBA fights did over the years. However, WNBA star Candace Parker has said not to make too much of the fight, noting their play styles are too different for a direct matchup.
Yet, the talk goes on, with each player shaping the league. Clark with her top games, and Reese putting the team on her back. The fact that she uses social media as a way to self-promote is not what matters. You can be silent, you can be loud, but and the end of the day, what counts is how you perform in the game and how you contribute to your team to achieve victory. And they both do that like masters.
As the season goes on, the story of Reese and Clark will likely be crucial for the WNBA, as it is a good way to sell the product. We all know that to create a good movie, you need a hero and a villain. Now you choose who is who for you.
Whether Reese's way of showing off online keeps elevating her fame or Clark's silent media presence enhances her top performances, we will always see narratives that praise one while criticizing the other.
Caitlin Clark becomes the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 PTS & 50 AST in a season. pic.twitter.com/D01PWmqURw
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) June 17, 2025