If you thought the Caitlin Clark hype was just smoke and mirrors, think again. The rookie phenom just made her highly anticipated return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and the basketball world is still buzzing. But as Clark and the Indiana Fever lit up the court against Brazil’s national team, not everyone in the WNBA media was ready to give credit where it’s due. In fact, some are already scrambling to rewrite the narrative—and fans aren’t having it.

The Return of a Star

Clark’s preseason debut for the 2025 season was everything fans dreamed of and more. Fresh off a relentless offseason, she looked sharper than ever—draining deep threes, running the floor, and showing off the swagger that’s made her the talk of the league. The excitement was so real, ticket prices for this “just preseason” matchup soared to an average of $440. That’s not even regular season, folks. The Caitlin Clark effect is very, very real.

And it’s not just the fans who are noticing. With Clark leading the charge and new head coach Stephanie White at the helm, the Fever are suddenly being mentioned as legit championship contenders. The energy around this team is electric—they’re being called the Avengers for a reason. Brazil’s national team found that out the hard way.

Media Tries to Downplay the Moment

But not everyone is on board. Even as Clark’s performance sent shockwaves through the arena, some in the media were quick to downplay her impact. One reporter, Roberta Rodriguez, went viral for suggesting Clark’s dominance “didn’t count” because it was preseason, or because Brazil was supposedly too tired to compete.

Rodriguez’s post claimed Brazil was running on fumes after a grueling travel schedule, implying their lackluster performance was more about jet lag than Clark’s brilliance. “Not surprised they’re not doing as well,” she wrote, pointing to 5 a.m. wake-ups and multiple flights as the real culprit.

But anyone who watched the game knows that’s not the full story. Brazil’s players were out there hitting logo threes, dancing, and soaking up the Iowa crowd’s energy. Fatigue? They looked anything but tired—until Clark and the Fever turned up the heat.

Fans Fire Back

The backlash was immediate and brutal. Social media lit up with fans calling out the “excuses” and reminding everyone that the Fever themselves were on a back-to-back, coming off an overtime battle just the night before. If anyone had a reason to be tired, it was Indiana.

“These weak excuses people are tossing around are not going to fly,” one fan wrote. “You can’t rewrite the outcome just because it wasn’t what you expected. Caitlin Clark came out and owned that court.”

Others were even less diplomatic: “Shut the f*** up and get the hell out of our country, you delusional [expletive],” read one viral comment. The message was clear—fans aren’t here for the narrative spin.

The Facts Don’t Lie

Here’s the reality: Clark and the Fever made it look easy, even with a brutal schedule. They outplayed, outpaced, and outclassed Brazil from start to finish. And while some may try to twist the story, the facts are staring everyone in the face—this Indiana team is different. Caitlin Clark is different.

And if you need any more proof, just look at the end of the game. Members of Brazil’s national team were fangirling, lining up for Clark’s autograph. Even her opponents know they’re witnessing something special.

Media Meltdown

But Rodriguez wasn’t done. Doubling down, she insisted her intent was just to “paint a picture of why Brazil played below average,” tossing in more excuses about training camp length and international flights. “Indiana flies charter and has been in Indianapolis since training camp,” she argued.

Fans weren’t buying it. “This isn’t journalism, it’s pure coping,” one commenter fired back. “You sound stupid, Roberta. Like, real dumb.”

The Caitlin Clark Effect

All the noise aside, one thing is clear: Clark’s impact on the WNBA is undeniable. With 93% of Fever games set for national TV this season—more than even the Lakers—the league is finally capitalizing on her star power. The haters? They’re just adding fuel to the fire.

So what’s the ceiling for this Indiana Fever team? Clark put it best herself: “A championship. That’s our goal.” With the ball moving, the passes popping, and the team’s confidence sky-high, anything feels possible.

Final Word

This is just the beginning. The Fever are here, and so is Caitlin Clark. The doubters can keep spinning their narratives, but the rest of us? We’re just enjoying the show.