Caitlin Clark began her 2025 WNBA regular season in dominant fashion, scoring 20 points to lead the Indiana Fever to a 93-58 victory over the Chicago Sky in their season opener.
But the high was short-lived. In their second game, the Fever suffered a heartbreaking 91-90 defeat to the Atlanta Dream. However, Clark did not dwell on the setback. On May 22, she returned with a vengeance—and a sense of humor—as Indiana defeated Atlanta 81-76 in a statement game.
Fans Love Caitlin Clark’s Unbothered Gesture
During the third game of Indiana’s new season, tensions rose when Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream appeared to start a heated argument with Clark. Instead of engaging, Clark simply gave a calm thumbs up.
The gesture was so unexpectedly cool that fans enjoyed every minute of it.
While Howard may have attempted to rattle the 23-year-old, Clark de-escalated the situation with grace and then let her game do the talking.
She scored 11 crucial points and led the Fever to a win that felt like poetic justice. It wasn’t only about the scoreboard. It all came down to who could remain calm in the midst of chaos.
“That was hilarious! 😂. “And she had the last laugh,” one fan wrote.
One fan even compared Clark’s reaction to soccer legend Lionel Messi. Clark, like Messi at FC Barcelona, exuded a calm confidence: he was unfazed by the noise or the drama. Whether it was a taunt or trash talk, she remained focused and determined to win. That kind of presence distinguishes the good from the great.
“Messi aura,” wrote another fan.
Clark’s reaction didn’t just show her maturity. It reminded fans of her well-known sense of humor. Her charisma has often shone through during practice sessions, where her jokes keep teammates laughing. That same quick wit was on display during her surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live”, where she effortlessly blended charm with comedy.
“CC is legit the most hilarious person,” said one fan.
While most fans were focused on Clark’s viral thumbs-up moment, a few delved deeper into the on-court performance itself. These fans emphasized the difference between Clark and Howard’s impact on the game.
“Rhyne dropped 20 points last game and 24 today,” one user stated.
Clark’s thumbs-up to Howard was more than just a moment. It was a message: she isn’t here for the drama. She’s here to dominate and possibly crack a joke while doing so.
Despite a lot of drama surrounding Clark during the young WNBA season, she continues to impress on the court. She currently averages 19.3 points per game. She and the Fever will next face the New York Liberty on May 24, in what promises to be another high-stakes matchup.
