The Indiana Fever looked solid in all preseason games with their offense clicking perfectly against top opponents. Caitlin Clark returned to the lineup after the injury and once again took control of the team’s playmaking duties, sharing the offensive load with the side.
While the team used most of its assets in the games, coach Stephanie White avoided using Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull in the preseason games, looking to avoid any major injury. Their absence affected the team’s defense a bit.
A social media post went viral, which had a collection of points scored over CC, highlighting her poor effort on the defensive end. A WNBA reporter tried to take the side of the Fever playmaker, but received backlash from some fans, who also pointed out some mistakes by the 2024 rookie.
Fans React To Journalist’s Post Backing Caitlin Clark
The two-time All-Star showed a strong outing in the preseason games, playing in all three games for a limited time. She averaged 13.3 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game. She displayed efficient shooting, averaging 45.5% from 3-point range and 45.0% from the field. Her preseason performance was highlighted by a high-scoring game against Dallas.
But in the same game, the player showed less effort on the defensive end, and a video highlighted those plays where opponents scored easily over Clark. A reporter tried to back the player as she wrote, “This isn’t even the best example but it sucks they one of the biggest women’s basketball accounts on Twitter constantly throws shots at one player.”
This isn’t even the best example but it sucks they one of the biggest women’s basketball accounts on Twitter constantly throws shots at one player https://t.co/JAThLxxg9A
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) May 1, 2026
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While the reporter made her view clear on the post, a few fans didn’t like the idea of ‘protecting’ the star player and slammed the reporter.
A fan wrote, “Teach your girl how to squabble.”
Teach your girl how to squabble. Not sure I ever saw you standing up for Angel with the vitriol that has been thrown her way the last three years.
— UnsaintedCuster (@LGreyOcho) May 1, 2026
One fan mentioned, “Shes not top 10. Stop prompting her as the best player or close to it.”
It sucks they show the truth of yall glazing her? Shes not top 10. Stop prompting her as the best player or close to it.
— Mambas Nest Entertainment (@MambasNestENT) May 1, 2026
Another fan said, “She’s objectively weak on defense and it’s an area that would serve her well to improve.”
The account definitely likes to point out CC's weaknesses, but it all seems rooted in actual basketball. She's objectively weak on defense and it's an area that would serve her well to improve
— Nicole Hendrickson (@nikki57) May 1, 2026
One fan added, “She a terrible defender.”
She a terrible defender nothing changing that two sides of the ball
— BGRT Kev (@TrillKevin) May 1, 2026
And she barely plays one side of the ball that’s basketball 🤷🏾♂️
Another fan commented, “That’s the reason why the page was created in the first place.”
That's the reason why the page was created in the first place
— vikkkky (@vik1657881) May 1, 2026
While Caitlin Clark is famous for offense, she contributed at least one defensive “stock” (steal or block) in every preseason appearance, and had two steals and two blocks in the games. Moreover, the player is looking to avoid excessive contact, as she mentioned in the pressers.
During the preseason games, the competitive 24-year-old star will be active on the defensive end during the regular season. One thing that fans will be happy about, though, is her health, especially after an injury in the third quarter against the Wings.
Caitlin Clark Makes ‘Healthy Return’ For Final Preseason Game
After an injury hit the 2025 season, fans were eagerly waiting for the 2024 Rookie of the Year Winner to get back on the floor for the Indiana Fever. Although the player played well in the first two games, Clark was limping in the third quarter against the Wings. Coach quickly substituted her, and the player also announced that she is fit for the games.
The Fever team announced her in the starting lineup, and the player also showed no sign of injury as she scored 12 points with just four attempts in 13 minutes of gameplay and made three assists in the game.
Fans also loved Clark’s small cameo in the final preseason game and are hoping to see more in the upcoming season.