The Indiana Fever are riding high on a six-game winning streak, and Caitlin Clark has been the engine driving that success. Yet, when ION TV unveiled its updated WNBA MVP graphic during Friday's game against the Portland Fire, Clark's name was conspicuously absent. The snub didn't sit well with Fever fans, who took to social media to voice their frustration.
The graphic listed five candidates for the league's top individual honor. A'ja Wilson, a four-time MVP, topped the list with her stellar averages of 26.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game for the Las Vegas Aces. Clark's teammate, Kelsey Mitchell, came in at No. 2, thanks to her 23.6 points per game on a scorching 49.5% shooting clip. Dallas Wings' Paige Bueckers, Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles, and New York Liberty veteran Breanna Stewart rounded out the top five.
But for many, the omission of Clark—who is averaging 21.6 points and 8.0 assists per game this season—was a glaring oversight. "They try so hard to diminish CC," one fan tweeted. "She literally has better stats than Paige and Olivia." Another fan pointed out, "Meanwhile the 11th best guard just got her 4th triple-double." The criticism even extended to the award's name, with one user joking, "They are changing the name of the award to the Anyone But Caitlyn Clark Award."
Clark's recent performances make the snub even harder to justify. In the last two weeks alone, she dropped 45 points in a win over the Seattle Storm, torched the Connecticut Sun with 27 points and 11 assists, and notched a 26-point triple-double against the Portland Fire. Those numbers scream MVP-caliber, and her impact on the Fever's turnaround is undeniable.
While Wilson remains the frontrunner, the debate over who belongs in the conversation is heating up. Clark's supporters argue that her all-around game—she ranks third in scoring and second in assists—should at least earn her a spot on the graphic. The snub also reignites criticism of how Clark is covered, with some feeling she's held to a different standard.
Fever fans aren't just upset about the graphic; they see it as part of a broader pattern. From media scrutiny to debates over her role in the league, Clark often finds herself at the center of controversy. Yet her play on the court continues to speak volumes.
As the Fever push toward the playoffs, Clark's case for MVP will only grow stronger if she maintains this level of performance. The graphic may have overlooked her for now, but the conversation is far from over. If she keeps delivering nights like her 45-point outburst, the award voters will have no choice but to take notice.
