Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year and one of the most electrifying figures in basketball today, has had a rough few weeks. After missing her fourth straight game due to a groin injury, the Indiana Fever continued to find success without her, notching their third consecutive win in dominant fashion against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday.

But while the Fever are thriving on the court, Clark received what many are calling a slap in the face off of it: WNBA officials announced that Cheryl Reeve, a longtime critic of Clark, will coach Team Clark at the 2025 All-Star Game.

The announcement immediately sent shockwaves through social media, with fans erupting in frustration over what they see as a tone-deaf decision from the league.

A History of Tension

Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx, has been vocal in her criticism of how the WNBA has handled Clark’s meteoric rise. Just last year, Reeve posted a series of messages on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the league of overhyping the Indiana Fever star while ignoring other teams and talent. She used hashtags like #12teams and #theWismorethanoneplayer to emphasize her stance.

That tension seemed to boil over when Clark was left off the 2024 USA Olympic roster—news that stunned fans and analysts alike. While Reeve denied that she had any personal role in the decision, many believed her position as head coach of the Olympic team played a factor in Clark’s exclusion.

Now, Reeve being selected to coach Team Clark feels, to many, like salt in the wound.

Fan Backlash Escalates

The WNBA’s official post naming Reeve and New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello as the All-Star coaches drew hundreds of replies within minutes—many of them angry, sarcastic, or outright hostile.

“Great… we get CC hater Cheryl Reeve. The same coach too stupid to put her on the Olympic team,” one fan posted.

“No one wants to see Cheryl coach Caitlin’s team. No one,” another replied bluntly.

“This is an embarrassment. Reeve hates Caitlin,” one user scoffed, referencing Reeve’s history of critical posts.

Even casual fans expressed confusion over the decision, questioning why the league would assign such a polarizing figure to work with its most marketable player.

A Rough Break During Recovery

Clark, 23, has been sidelined with a groin injury—her second significant absence this season after missing time earlier due to a quadriceps issue. Despite her absence, the Fever are now 4-1 in their latest stretch without her and have held opponents to under 60 points in back-to-back games—a defensive feat not seen since 2003.

Still, Clark’s name remains central in WNBA headlines, both for her on-court impact and the off-court narratives that surround her. Even while injured, she was named an All-Star Game captain, a move that highlights her immense popularity and influence.

But pairing her with Cheryl Reeve, say fans, only underlines how complicated Clark’s relationship with the WNBA establishment has become.

Is the League Sending a Message?

Critics argue that the coaching assignment feels more like a statement than a coincidence. Despite Clark being a major driver of ticket sales, TV ratings, and sponsorships, she’s faced skepticism—if not outright resentment—from some corners of the league and media.

“She’s the face of the league whether they like it or not,” said one analyst. “And the All-Star Game is supposed to celebrate that—not punish it.”

Supporters of the decision, however, note that Reeve is one of the league’s most successful and respected coaches. They argue that putting her with Team Clark could force a productive collaboration, and potentially reset the narrative between the two figures.

Still, for many fans, the optics are hard to overlook.

What’s Next?

Clark is still on the mend, and while she’s expected to return soon, it’s unclear if she’ll be back in time to play in the All-Star Game. If she does, all eyes will be on how she and Reeve interact on the sidelines—and whether their professional dynamic can overcome a year’s worth of tension.

The WNBA has not issued any additional statement addressing the backlash, but the situation has reignited debates about how the league treats its brightest star and the balance between honoring veteran leadership and adapting to a rapidly shifting spotlight.

For now, fans of Caitlin Clark are making one thing clear: they’re watching—and they’re not happy.