The basketball world erupted in chaos last night as the Indiana Fever pulled off a stunning 89-82 victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces—without rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.

The win sent shockwaves through the WNBA, with Clark’s most vocal critics gleefully seizing the moment to declare their long-held belief: Indiana might actually be better without the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.

Social media became a battleground within minutes of the final buzzer, as the so-called “Clark Haters” launched into victory laps while her legion of devoted fans scrambled to counter the narrative.

The game itself was a masterclass in team basketball. With Clark sidelined due to a minor ankle sprain, the Fever played with a cohesion and defensive intensity rarely seen this season.

Aliyah Boston dominated inside with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell caught fire from deep, draining five three-pointers on her way to 28 points. The ball movement was crisp—Indiana dished out 27 assists on 34 made field goals—and the defense held the Aces to just 39% shooting.

Even more shocking? The Fever committed only 8 turnovers, their lowest total of the season, a stark contrast to their sometimes sloppy play with Clark running the offense.

Almost immediately, the narrative took a toxic turn. Prominent WNBA analysts and former players who have been critical of Clark’s rapid rise pounced on the result as proof of their long-standing arguments.

“Told y’all she was overrated,” tweeted one veteran player (since deleted), while a popular basketball podcast declared, “Fever finally play like a REAL TEAM without the Caitlin Clark show.”

Even some Fever fans joined in, questioning whether Clark’s ball-dominant style had been stifling the development of other players. The backlash was swift and brutal, with Clark’s supporters accusing critics of twisting one game into a false narrative.

The most inflammatory takes came from those suggesting the Fever’s performance proved Clark’s presence creates a “toxic” environment. “They looked happy tonight,” claimed one viral post, accompanied by clips of Fever players laughing on the bench.

Others pointed to Mitchell’s explosion as evidence that Clark’s playmaking isn’t as irreplaceable as believed. Never mind that Mitchell has had plenty of big games with Clark in the lineup—the story had already taken hold: no Clark, no problem.

Lost in the noise was the context of the Aces’ performance. Las Vegas was playing its third game in five nights, and star center A’ja Wilson looked uncharacteristically fatigued, finishing with just 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

Chelsea Gray, still working her way back from injury, was a non-factor. Yet none of that mattered to those determined to use this game as a referendum on Clark’s value.

The Fever locker room postgame was a study in mixed emotions. Players celebrated the win but seemed uncomfortable with how it was being framed. “Caitlin’s our leader,” Boston told reporters tersely when asked about the “better without her” narrative.

Mitchell, who has been Clark’s most vocal supporter all season, was more pointed: “Y’all really trying to start something, huh? We win one game without her, and suddenly it’s a thing? Come on.” Head coach Christie Sides shut down the narrative entirely, calling it “disrespectful” to both Clark and the team’s collective effort.

The controversy highlights a growing divide in the WNBA fandom. On one side are those who see Clark as a transformative talent bringing unprecedented attention to the league.

On the other are those who resent the media focus on her, believing it comes at the expense of other deserving players. This game—a single data point in an 82-game season—became a Rorschach test for which side you’re on.

Statistically, the “better without Clark” argument doesn’t hold up. Indiana’s offensive rating last night (108.7) was actually lower than their season average with Clark (110.2).

What changed was their three-point shooting (a red-hot 48% compared to their usual 34%) and Las Vegas’ uncharacteristically poor defense. Advanced metrics show the Fever are +6.2 points per 100 possessions with Clark on the floor this season—a number that undermines the knee-jerk reactions.

Yet facts rarely matter in these debates. The narrative had already spread like wildfire, fueled by months of built-up resentment toward Clark’s stardom.

Even some neutral observers couldn’t resist the drama, with sports talk shows devoting entire segments to the “Is Caitlin Clark overrated?” discourse. The Fever’s next game—Clark’s expected return—is now must-see TV, with everyone waiting to see how the team responds.

For the WNBA, this is both a blessing and a curse. The league has never had this much attention, but the toxicity of the discourse risks alienating the very new fans Clark has brought in. Last night proved one thing: whether she’s on the court or not, Caitlin Clark remains the most polarizing—and consequential—figure in basketball.

The only question now is whether the league can channel this energy into growth or if it will devolve into something uglier. One thing’s certain: the Fever’s next game can’t come soon enough.