Caitlin Clark remains WNBA's marquee attraction this season

LAS VEGAS — There’s no question who remains the most popular player in the WNBA.

That would be Caitlin Clark, the second-year guard of the Indiana Fever, who despite having played just eight of her team’s 13 games so far due to injury (left quad strain), draws sellout crowds wherever she plays.

Her fans were out in force Sunday at T-Mobile Arena, surrounding the court wearing Clark’s No. 22 Fever jersey or T-shirt, holding up signs in support of her and basically showering the 23-year-old with love. So it’s no surprise she’s the leading vote-getter for next month’s WNBA All-Star Game which will be played at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

She wasn’t able to deliver for her fans among the sellout crowd of 18,547 as the Fever, which led by as many as 10, were unable to hold the lead early in the fourth quarter and were defeated by the Las Vegas Aces 89-81. Despite finishing with a double-double of 19 points and 11 assists, Clark struggled offensively, going just 7-of-20 from the floor and only 1-of-10 on 3-point tries. Her plus-minus Sunday was -15. She also had eight turnovers and she is the W’s leader in that category, averaging over five miscues per contest.

“There are stretches that are good and stretches that aren’t,” Clark said of her performance Sunday. “I think the challenge is to pour into every aspect of the game, continue to shoot and have confidence in my game. I had several shots that felt good leaving my hand that didn’t go in. But just keep working and try to get better, more consistent.”

Stephanie White, who coached against Clark while at Connecticut and now coaches her in Indiana, said it’s the job of her and the Fever staff to get Clark better opportunities to produce offensively.

“I think the biggest thing is as a staff we need to find a way to get her better looks,” White said after her team fell to 6-7. “I’m not worried about Caitlin’s shot.”

While her popularity remains high, she also remains a somewhat polarizing figure. Her presence has helped a struggling league grow and gain exposure. Her scoring ability, particularly from long (long) distance is tantalizing. The Fever, which struggled mightily early in Clark’s rookie season in 2024 before finally hitting its stride late and making the playoffs, brought in a new coach, and overall, it appears Indiana is a better team in terms of talent and on-the-court execution on a consistent basis.

Yet Clark still gets targeted by the opposition. In their attempt to slow her or shut her down, teams resort to more physical play against her. Witness the events last week when the Fever played Connecticut and Clark was involved in two separate incidents that drew national attention.

We saw this last year as she was constantly physically tested by opponents as they tried to throw her off her game. She handled the abuse well and wound up Rookie of the Year. She obviously addressed her own physical stature in the off-season, as she is bigger, stronger, more muscular and better prepared to both take it as well as dish out any physical play.

The league overall has been the most physical it has been. Star players, including the Aces’ A’ja Wilson, have missed time this year after getting hit in the face a couple of weeks ago and missing three games while in concussion protocol. And while the level of play has never been higher, the quality of officiating has not kept up. Both White and Aces coach Becky Hammon have said as much.

Sometimes the line between playing hard and playing dirty gets crossed and when it does cross, it doesn’t help the league. It’s up to commissioner Cathy Engelbert to address it and clean it up. It shouldn’t take the players to police bad behavior. Sophie Cunningham doesn’t need to watch over Clark the way Ryan Reaves policed the ice when he was in the NHL. She can take care of herself. Of did you not notice the results of her time in the weight room this off-season and adding muscle to her still-slender frame?

When its star players are sidelined, that’s bad for business. People come out to watch Clark and Wilson. It’s why the Aces moved Sunday’s game from 10,400-seat Michelob Ultra Arena to 18,500-seat T-Mobile Arena where the game was a sellout.

Her jersey is the top seller among WNBA players. She’s got her own shoe, as does Wilson and New York’s Sabrina Ionescu and Brianna Stewart and Chicago’s Angel Reese. Her Nike deal is worth a reported $28 million over eight years. And her other endorsements, which includes Gatorade, State Farm Insurance, Wilson Sporting Goods, Gainbridge, Xfinity and others are worth $11 million annually.

Her popularity has not waned. Even on the road, she is beloved.

“I obviously appreciate it,” she said of the support away from home. “It never gets old. People are paying good money to see us play and I’m thankful for the people who show up.”

So let’s belay the silly talk about Clark leaving the W to play overseas. She’s not going anywhere. And she shouldn’t. The WNBA needs her and should continue to cultivate her presence. Let those who are jealous of her go somewhere else.