The WNBA dropped its weekly honors on Tuesday, and the internet immediately erupted. The league named Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty as Eastern Conference Player of the Week and A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces for the West. But a vocal army of fans quickly pointed to Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, arguing she got the short end of the stick.
Clark, who has been setting the league ablaze, averaged 24.3 points, nine assists, and five rebounds per game last week. Those numbers, many argue, should have been enough to secure the East award. Instead, Stewart took home the hardware with averages of 23 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. The discrepancy in assists—nine for Clark versus 2.8 for Stewart—became a flashpoint for critics.
“Really? You had a player that made WNBA history and averaged 25/9/5 (BEST stats in the EASTERN Conference) all in the same week and that player, with a team record which was 1 less win than New York is not good enough for Player of the Week?” one fan posted, capturing the sentiment of many.
Another user didn't hold back: “Exactly why no one cared about WNBA prior to Caitlin Clark. Same old crap. WNBA is prejudice and bias. No offense meant to Wilson or Stewart.” The debate has reignited accusations of a pattern of snubs against Clark, who has drawn massive attention to the league since her college days.
To be fair, the Player of the Week isn't always a pure stats contest. The NFL, for example, doesn't automatically hand the award to the quarterback with the most passing yards. Team success and defensive impact also factor in. Stewart's Liberty posted a strong week, and her rebounding edge was clear. But Clark's assist numbers—nearly triple Stewart's—and her historic rookie performances have fans questioning the criteria.
This isn't the first time Clark has been at the center of a perceived slight. Earlier this season, frustration over officiating boiled over, and fans have been quick to call out any hint of bias. The league, meanwhile, has maintained that awards are based on a holistic view of performance.
Clark, for her part, keeps letting her game do the talking. She's been on a tear, draining threes and dishing dimes with a flair that's made her must-see TV. Her recent outing included a sizzling 3-point stroke that had fans buzzing, and she even broke out an edgy cutoff tee for her NBC return, showing she's got style to match the substance.
If Clark keeps up this pace, the accolades will pile up—whether or not the voters seem biased. The rookie is already making history, and her fan base isn't shy about demanding recognition. For now, the WNBA has a controversy on its hands, and all eyes are on how the league handles the next round of awards.
