This has been a bit of a discussion weeks back. But now that the Indiana Fever are just inches away, just one win away from the WNBA Finals, the talk of it from WNBA fans is just getting more and more noisier. So the question is, is a Caitlin Clark-free Fever doing better than the Indiana Fever built around Caitlin Clark?
Looking at the tweet coming from @LegionHoops gave us the update and reality check, “The Caitlin Clark-less Fever are just one game away from the WNBA Finals.”
The Caitlin Clark-less Fever are just one game away from the WNBA Finals.
Insanity.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 28, 2025
To see is to believe at this stage because right now the WNBA fans are seeing the effects of how the Fever has worked it up despite being shorthanded. Granted, sometimes they do see that any NBA or WNBA star is a little bit more clingy to the ball. And @King_Cold_Son may have reacted like how some others have, “Better without the ball hog”.
Better without the ball hog
— Frieza’s Burner (@King_Cold_Son) September 28, 2025
The better question would be, “was she holding them back???” as asked by @chiefflips on that same thread. And truth be told, that’s the whole gist of this paradox. Was Caitlin Clark holding the team back by relying on her too much or by putting a cap on their own potential just so the Fever can exploit CC’s? The WNBA fandom is asking.
Caitlin Clark is in no shape to answer back because in all honesty, words can’t really do as much as actions would. And with her being out of action for the rest of this season, the WNBA fans will have to wait for next season to really see if with or without is better.
WNBA Fans are Primarily NOT basketball Fans
Now that we think more about it, the recent talk of Caitlin Clark’s pull has had an effect. More eyes on the screens and more bodies on the seats during WNBA games. And while those numbers are hard to come by, considering the WNBA has been around for a while, one fan has said something that shows the cons of this kind of pull.
On X, @promo2fly writes, “i don’t care how much publicity Caitlin Clark brings to this league, it will never grow because WNBA fans are not primarily basketball fans.”
go look at the quotes in response to basketball players trash talking and calling for a play challenge.
i don’t care how much publicity Caitlin Clark brings to this league, it will never grow because WNBA fans are not primarily basketball fans.
talmbout white women blah blah 😂 https://t.co/cQPaFCqFS1
— dontai (@promo2fly) September 28, 2025
The fans being attracted are primarily there not for the basketball but because of the influencer-styled following the current athletes are putting out outside the court. And while this does come as a bitter pill to swallow, some WNBA fans have something to add.
“How can they be basketball fans when it’s more like wrestling and UFC on the court,” @CArezident adds to the discussion. But not all are in agreement, like @krowDaKutter who said “U do know they do this in the nba … Im starting think yall don’t know basketball”
How can they be basketball fans when it’s more like wrestling and UFC on the court.
— CArezident (@CArezident) September 28, 2025
CC, no CC, her impact on the WNBA is undeniable. Whether her on-court impact is questionable or not, her ability to attract new fans is without question.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
