Indiana Fever (Photo via Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK)

AMERICA’S TEAM? Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever Ignite FIRESTORM Over National Anthem Decision — Fans SOUND OFF

It started with a song—but it didn’t end there.

As the Indiana Fever took the court against the New York Liberty on Saturday night, fans were watching more than just the scoreboard. While the game came down to a nail-biting final play that left Caitlin Clark pleading for a foul call she never got, it was what happened before tipoff that sent social media into a frenzy and reignited a polarizing national conversation.

In an era when most WNBA teams choose to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, the Indiana Fever made a different choice: they stood tall on the court, hand over heart, facing the flag—again.

And fans across America noticed.

A DEFIANT DISPLAY — OR JUST TRADITION?

In the modern WNBA, teams opting out of anthem appearances has become a quiet norm. Often chalked up to pregame preparation or a nod to ongoing social justice causes, teams like the Chicago Sky and New York Liberty have regularly remained in the locker room during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

But not the Fever.

For the second consecutive game, Caitlin Clark and her Indiana teammates lined up on the court for the anthem, standing in stark contrast to their opponents—first the Sky, and now the Liberty—who remained out of view.

It was a visual too bold to ignore.

“Are the Fever the only team in the WNBA that stands on the court for the national anthem?” asked Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports in a now-viral tweet. “The Liberty stayed in the locker room, after the Sky did last Saturday.”

That tweet opened the floodgates.

PATRIOTIC PRAISE AND POLARIZING POSTS

Almost instantly, the comments rolled in—and they weren’t neutral.

“AMERICA’S TEAM,” one user declared in all caps.

“Thank you Fever! My sons and many others went to war for our country,” another wrote, their gratitude palpable.

One user, noting the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, added:
“As we approach Memorial Day, stuff like this shows how out of touch the @WNBA is—even after many sports leagues have pivoted away from this nonsense.”

But not everyone agreed. Others called the anthem participation a “PR stunt” or questioned whether the players were being forced into the gesture, hinting at internal team dynamics or pressure from the coaching staff.

One especially curious comment read:
“I wonder who’s taking the lead there—it’s not the coaches, since the Connecticut Sun were never out for the anthem last year when Stephanie White was there.”

Translation? All eyes are now on Clark.

IS THIS CLARK’S CALL?

Though the Indiana Fever have not officially commented on their decision to participate in the anthem, the public perception is crystal clear: many believe this is Caitlin Clark’s influence at work.

And why not? She’s the face of the franchise, the most talked-about player in the league, and arguably the most polarizing female athlete in the country right now. Every move she makes—on or off the court—gets amplified. And when she leads, millions follow.

Clark’s on-court demeanor, her commitment to team play, and her fierce competitiveness have made her a fan favorite—but now, her perceived patriotism is turning her into something else entirely: a cultural lightning rod.

Some are comparing her stance—literal and figurative—to Tim Tebow, others to Pat Tillman. And while such comparisons are premature at best, they underscore the level of emotion her actions have triggered.

MEANWHILE, ON THE COURT…

Saturday’s game itself was a thriller, even if it ended in disappointment for Fever fans.

With just seconds left and the Fever trailing the defending-champion Liberty by two, the ball was in Caitlin Clark’s hands. She attempted to create space for a potential game-winning shot but was swarmed by defenders and failed to get a shot off before the buzzer.

Clark immediately turned to the referee, visibly frustrated, claiming she had been fouled. The crowd roared in agreement—but no whistle came.

Controversy ensued.

The replay showed significant contact, but the league has yet to issue any statement clarifying the no-call. For now, it’s another “what if” in a season already filled with hard lessons and growing pains for the rookie superstar.

To make matters worse, Clark sustained a minor injury during the game and is expected to miss time. No official timetable has been given for her return, but sources close to the team describe the injury as “not season-threatening.”

Still, the timing couldn’t be worse.

Just as the Fever are finding their rhythm—and Clark is discovering her voice—she’ll be sidelined. And the public debate swirling around her isn’t likely to die down any time soon.

THE WNBA’S CROSSROADS

The anthem issue is nothing new in professional sports, but it feels different in the WNBA—perhaps because the league has always embraced activism and social commentary as central tenets of its identity.

From the Say Her Name campaign to open endorsements of Black Lives Matter and Pride Month celebrations, the WNBA has often leaned into causes that challenge traditional notions of patriotism.

And yet, Caitlin Clark’s presence appears to be shifting the landscape.

“She’s not just a player,” one media analyst told us. “She’s a symbol. And symbols—especially ones that touch politics, race, gender, and country—all at once—get very messy, very fast.”

Whether Clark intended to make a political statement remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that her decision to stand for the anthem—alongside her teammates—is being interpreted by many as a statement in itself.

FANS REACT — AND ALIGN

Across social media, Reddit threads, and comment sections, fans are drawing battle lines.

One TikTok video showing Clark standing during the anthem has over 2 million views and is flooded with comments praising her “respect” and “character.”

“I didn’t care about the WNBA until now. Caitlin and the Fever just earned a lifelong fan.”

“She’s the only one acting like a professional. This is what leadership looks like.”

Meanwhile, others have expressed disappointment:
“So much for progress. Sad to see Clark towing the line.”

“If standing for the anthem is now a political act, we’ve lost the plot.”

The division is stark. And yet, somehow, Caitlin Clark continues to rise—simultaneously beloved and controversial, inspiring both applause and eye rolls.

THE BOTTOM LINE

With Memorial Day fast approaching, the national anthem discourse was inevitable—but no one expected Caitlin Clark to be at the center of it.

Yet here we are.

The Indiana Fever’s choice to stand for the anthem—whether quietly traditional or strategically bold—has turned into a full-blown cultural moment. One that puts Clark under an even hotter spotlight than before.

Will she address it directly? Will the Fever double down, or retreat into anonymity before the next anthem plays?

We’ll find out soon enough.

But one thing is clear: this isn’t just about basketball anymore.

And whether by design or by fate, Caitlin Clark has become something bigger than sports: a symbol in a divided country still struggling to agree on what unity even looks like.