The WNBA playoffs are heating up, but for a vocal segment of Caitlin Clark's fanbase, the postseason might as well be a ghost town. For weeks, diehard supporters of the Indiana Fever rookie have loudly declared they won't tune in now that she's out of the picture. Former NBA big man Etan Thomas has heard enough.
Thomas, who spent a decade in the league, took to X to tell the so-called "Caitlin Clark Mob" to put up or shut up. His message was blunt: if you're not going to watch the playoffs without Clark or Sophie Cunningham, then stop posting about it — and maybe find another pastime.
"Dear Caitlin Clark Mob: If yall don’t wanna watch the WNBA playoffs anymore, just don’t watch it. But why do yall keep posting about it? Caitlin Clark & Sophie Cunningham aren’t playing anymore so yall can go back and watch Trump rallies or whatever else yall wanna be fixated on," Thomas wrote.
The response was immediate and fierce. Clark's supporters flooded Thomas's post with replies, racking up nearly 370 comments against just 364 likes — a classic ratio beatdown. Some accused him of injecting race into a non-racial issue, while others pointed out that fans talk about NBA players all year round, even retirees.
"You are the only one making this about race. Sad you need to stereotype all fever fans as racist or Trump supporters," one user fired back. Another added, "People talk about NBA players during the off season. They even talk about players who retired years ago. So it’s okay for people to talk about Caitlin and Sophie even if they’re not playing right now."
Thomas's jab comes amid a broader cultural clash over Clark's massive popularity and the attention she's brought to the league. Her college days were marked by record-breaking ratings, and her WNBA rookie season has been no different. But that spotlight has also sparked tension, as seen in the recent controversy surrounding a misleading headline and the mixed reactions from WNBA veterans to her star power.
Meanwhile, the playoffs are rolling on without her. The Atlanta Dream have stunned the New York Liberty with a 2-0 series lead, while the Golden State Valkyries — in just their second season — are up 2-0 on the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Both series could wrap up as soon as tomorrow.
Thomas's comments also echo a recurring debate about who gets to define the WNBA's fanbase. Some critics argue that the influx of new fans, many drawn by Clark, has brought unwanted baggage. Others insist that any fan is a good fan, regardless of their political leanings.
For now, Thomas isn't backing down, and the "Caitlin Clark Mob" isn't either. The back-and-forth shows no signs of slowing, even as the on-court action takes center stage.
