In a shocking blunder that has sent waves of outrage across the sports world, ESPN is under heavy fire after mistakenly announcing the Minnesota Lynx as winners over the Indiana Fever—despite the Fever’s clear and dominant victory on the court. Fans, analysts, and players alike are calling out the network for what many see as blatant disrespect toward rookie star Caitlin Clark and the rising Indiana franchise.

The game, which was broadcast live and witnessed by millions, saw Caitlin Clark and the Fever dismantle the Lynx with a final score of 89–74. Clark led the charge with 28 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds, continuing her streak of MVP-caliber performances. However, in a bizarre post-game segment, ESPN’s graphic declared the Lynx as the winners, sparking immediate backlash across social media platforms.

The network quickly corrected the error, but not before the damage had been done.

“It wasn’t just a mistake—it was a moment that reflected a deeper issue,” said one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “The disrespect toward Caitlin Clark and the Fever is starting to look intentional.”

Caitlin Clark, who has already faced scrutiny and physical play all season, remained professional in her post-game interview. When asked about the ESPN blunder, she responded with grace.

“Mistakes happen,” Clark said. “But we know what we did on the court tonight. That scoreboard doesn’t lie.”

Despite her calm demeanor, fans and fellow players weren’t as forgiving. Former WNBA stars and current analysts slammed ESPN for what they called a pattern of overlooking Clark’s accomplishments and the Fever’s resurgence.

“This team is putting in the work,” said a WNBA commentator on another network. “They deserve respect, and tonight they earned that win outright. For a national broadcast to get it wrong at that level? That’s embarrassing.”

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides also voiced her disappointment in the post-game press conference.

“Our players played their hearts out. Caitlin had one of her best games of the season. It’s incredibly frustrating to see them disrespected on that stage,” she said.

The error has reignited a larger conversation about media coverage in women’s sports. Many fans pointed out that similar mistakes are rarely made in NBA broadcasts and suggested that the incident reflects a lack of attention and care from some major outlets when covering the WNBA.

“Caitlin Clark is changing the game,” one user posted online. “She’s filling arenas, breaking records, and drawing national attention. The least the media can do is get the score right.”

Some even accused ESPN of bias, pointing to previous criticisms of Clark’s style, media attention, and the way she’s been treated by commentators and opponents.

This latest incident follows a string of questionable coverage decisions involving the Fever, from downplaying their victories to overanalyzing Clark’s every move. With the team now climbing the standings and proving they’re more than just a rookie-led sideshow, the call for balanced, respectful media coverage is growing louder.

Indiana has now won 8 of their last 10 games and is becoming a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. Clark, Boston, Mitchell, and Smith are clicking, and the addition of veterans has only strengthened their playoff push.

As for ESPN, fans are demanding accountability. The network has issued a brief apology, citing “a technical error,” but critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure proper coverage and recognition of women’s sports achievements.

“This isn’t just about one wrong graphic,” a fan wrote in an open letter. “It’s about a lack of respect that female athletes face every day. Caitlin Clark and the Fever are making history. Pay attention.”

With the WNBA season heating up and the Fever becoming must-watch basketball, one thing is certain: Caitlin Clark doesn’t need validation from headlines—she’s making her statement on the court. But if the media hopes to keep pace with the future of women’s sports, moments like this can’t keep happening.