“Fans OUTRAGED After Fever Freeze Out Caitlin Clark in Final Possession vs Dream!”

The Indiana Fever may have just made the most controversial decision of the young WNBA season — and it’s all about who didn’t touch the ball when it mattered most. In the final possession of a tight battle against the Atlanta Dream, with just 9.6 seconds left on the clock, Caitlin Clark stood in the corner — untouched, unfed, and forgotten.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Trailing 86–84 with a chance to tie or win, the Fever called timeout and advanced the ball. The play was expected to go through Caitlin Clark, who had already nailed two deep threes earlier in the game. But instead, the inbounds went to Kelsey Mitchell, who dribbled into traffic and took a contested shot that barely grazed the rim. Game over.

Cameras immediately cut to Clark, whose body language said it all: hands on hips, eyes locked on the coaching bench, visibly frustrated.

Social Media Erupts

Within minutes, the clip of the final possession was viral. #FreeCaitlin trended on X (formerly Twitter), and thousands of fans began demanding answers. “You have the most prolific college scorer of all time, and you don’t even let her touch the ball in the final play?” wrote one furious user.

Former WNBA guard Renee Montgomery said bluntly: “That’s coaching malpractice.”

The Locker Room Fallout

Sources inside the locker room claim Clark was “visibly upset” postgame, though she gave a diplomatic response to reporters: “I trust my teammates and the coaches. We’ll learn from it.” But insiders suggest tensions are rising between Clark and the Fever’s veteran backcourt, especially with Mitchell dominating late-game touches.

Speculation is mounting that Clark is being “eased in” too cautiously — at the cost of wins and chemistry.

Analytical Breakdown

Even if you set star power aside, Clark was statistically the best option. In clutch-time possessions this season, she’s shooting 44% from three and has a lower turnover rate than Mitchell. The decision not to use her on the final play is baffling — especially since she drew two defenders on her decoy cut, opening the lane for a possible give-and-go that never came.

A Pattern of Undermining?

This isn’t the first time Fever has frozen out Clark in late-game moments. Against the Liberty days earlier, she didn’t take a shot in the last three minutes. Analysts are beginning to question whether this is tactical mismanagement or something more systemic — perhaps discomfort with her immediate spotlight.

Moving Forward

The Fever are now 0-3, and while it’s early, the pressure is mounting. Every decision will be scrutinized — especially those involving Caitlin Clark. Fans didn’t wait years to see her on a pro court just to watch her become a glorified decoy.

If Indiana wants to win — and keep the fanbase intact — they’ll have to start treating Clark like the star she is, not a side character in her own story.