What started as a rough patch for rookie phenom Caitlin Clark has escalated into a firestorm of criticism directed at Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White. Clark, the No. 1 overall pick and one of the most hyped rookies in WNBA history, is enduring the worst shooting slump of her young professional career—and fans are starting to point fingers.
Clark has struggled from the field over the past several games, shooting below 35% and often appearing out of rhythm in the Fever’s offensive sets. Her signature deep threes aren’t falling, her turnovers are piling up, and the team continues to sputter in late-game situations. The Fever have dropped four of their last five games, falling toward the bottom of the standings.
On social media, fans have begun criticizing White for what they see as poor player management and a failure to adjust the offense to Clark’s strengths. The hashtag #FreeCaitlin has trended on X (formerly Twitter), with fans calling for more creative sets, off-ball screens, and spacing that would give Clark the room she thrived with in college.
“She’s not being put in a position to succeed,” one fan posted. “You don’t draft Caitlin Clark to turn her into a decoy.”
Some analysts agree. ESPN’s Monica McNutt noted during a recent broadcast that Clark “looks exhausted and unsure of her role,” adding that the Fever offense “lacks flow and creativity.”
Coach White has responded to the criticism by standing firm.
“We’re asking a lot of Caitlin, and that’s not going to change,” White told reporters after the team’s latest loss. “This league is tough, and she’s learning. We believe in her 100%. But we also need time to build chemistry and consistency.”
Clark, for her part, has taken the slump in stride.
“I’m not making shots I usually make, and that’s on me,” she said after finishing 3-for-14 in a recent game. “But I’ve been through slumps before. It’s about trusting the work and trusting my teammates.”
Still, with mounting pressure and national attention surrounding both Clark and the Fever, fans and media alike are watching closely. Indiana’s front office has not made any public comments about the coaching situation, but the noise is getting louder.
Whether the Fever can weather the storm—and whether Clark can shoot her way out of this slump—could define the arc of both their seasons.