Caitlin Clark won't back down, sends message in Fever win

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark refuses to back down, sends clear message during Fever win

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated May 23, 2025 7:33 AM ET

The WNBA veterans may have tried to send a message to Caitlin Clark during her rookie season, but it's clear she's not backing down in year two. As has become the norm, Clark ended up stealing the headlines after the Indiana Fever's 81-76 win over Atlanta on Thursday night.

Clark scored 11 points in 32 minutes, but her back-and-forth with another opponent was the game within the game.

Just a few days after her hard foul on Chicago Sky rival Angel Reese sparked a firestorm that transcended sports, Clark literally made it known that she's not scared of Dream guard Rhyne Howard.

In the first quarter, Howard was eventually called for a personal foul while playing tight defense on Clark.

But when Howard bumped Clark, it triggered the college basketball legend and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year to react. Clark could be heard saying "I'm not scared of you" as Howard tried to get in her face after the foul.

Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard exchange some words pic.twitter.com/8nybGMhxl4
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 22, 2025

Howard may have thought her tactics were going to help her contain Clark and lead the Dream to an upset win, but her plan didn't work well enough. The Dream were leading the Fever 18-10 at the time of the exchange. However, that momentum was short-lived.

Despite Clark being a bit off her game — she shot only 36.4% from the field, marking the first time she was below 45% this season — the Fever showed why they are a complete team and a true contender as a group.

Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard got chippy early into Fever-Dream

Clark: 11 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST, 0-5 3PT
Howard: 24 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK

Fever beat Dream 81-76 pic.twitter.com/Q4KI4MgPOJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 23, 2025

Indiana is now 2-1 on the season as Natasha Howard led the Fever in scoring with 26. Clark did find other ways to contribute, dishing out six assists and grabbing four rebounds.

Clark and the Fever will be back at it on Saturday when they encounter their toughest test so far. Indiana will host Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at 1 p.m. ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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