This wasn’t just another basketball game—it was payback.
When the Indiana Fever faced off against the Atlanta Dream for the final time this season, fans weren’t just expecting points on the board. They were waiting for a reckoning. And Caitlin Clark—alongside a fiery Sophie Cunningham—delivered exactly that.
What started as a tense rivalry months ago has now erupted into one of the most unforgettable clashes in the WNBA this season. From physical plays and subtle digs to outright trash talk, this matchup had been brewing for months. But in their latest and last meeting, the Fever didn’t just win—they made a statement.
The Bad Blood
The spark that ignited this rivalry happened back on May 22nd, when Caitlin Clark first faced off against the Dream. Clark’s deadly shooting and fierce competitiveness drew immediate attention, and the Dream clearly took notice. They responded not with skill, but with rough play—dirty screens, aggressive fouls, and more than a few cheap shots. Still, Clark kept her composure and let her performance speak louder than the antics.
Then came the most controversial moment: Brittney Griner, a WNBA veteran, fouled out of the game and stormed off the court visibly upset. Cameras caught her mouthing what many believe to be a racial slur directed at Clark, calling her an “effing white girl.” Though Griner later denied the comment, insisting she couldn’t recall what she said, the damage was already done. The moment went viral, and tensions between the teams skyrocketed.
Ryan Howard of the Dream also got in on the action, jawing at Clark during games and trying to physically intimidate her. But instead of backing down, Clark fired right back, famously mouthing, “I’m not scared of you.”
The Turnaround
After that heated encounter, the Dream got the better of the Fever in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, taking advantage of Clark’s injury to win handily. The score was now even, with each team holding one win over the other. But the Fever weren’t finished. Not by a long shot.
In their final showdown of the season, Clark returned healthy, focused, and more dangerous than ever. And this time, she wasn’t alone.
Sophie Cunningham stepped into the spotlight as Clark’s partner-in-crime, and the two put on an absolute clinic. The game started with a picture-perfect drive and assist from Clark to Aaliyah Boston, setting the tone for what was to come. From there, it was open season.
Cunningham, with deadly precision, started draining three-pointers from all over the court. She hit her first three attempts with ease, showing zero hesitation. Meanwhile, Clark showcased her incredible court vision, threading bounce passes and reverse feeds that left the Dream defense frozen.
One moment stood out as the highlight of the night: Clark running full speed into the defense, seemingly out of room, only to dish a no-look bounce pass to Natasha Howard for the bucket and the foul. It was electric—and it sent a message. You can’t shake Caitlin Clark.
The Fever Strikes Back
By halftime, the Dream were holding onto a five-point lead, but the storm was just getting started. In the third quarter, Cunningham lit up the scoreboard, and Clark took over the floor. Whether it was slicing through defenders, knocking down fadeaways, or connecting on fast-break plays, the duo looked nearly unstoppable.
And when they started playing off each other? Game over.
One memorable sequence saw Cunningham loop behind the arc, hand off to Clark, and let her storm inside for the bucket. On the next possession, Clark returned the favor—feeding Cunningham straight off the inbound for an easy three.
The Fever ended up outscoring the Dream 99–82, with four players finishing in double digits. But this was about more than stats. It was about redemption.
No More Pushovers
Despite repeated attempts by the Dream to physically unsettle Clark—including a double-team bump by Brittney Griner and Jordan Canada—Clark didn’t flinch. She absorbed the contact, made the bucket, and drew the foul. The arena erupted.
After the game, Sophie Cunningham summed it up perfectly: “When the ball’s poppin’, we’re a really hard team to guard.”
She wasn’t lying.
This win wasn’t just a notch in the standings—it was a message to the entire league. You can target Caitlin Clark. You can trash talk. You can even try to bully her. But she’s not going anywhere. And with Sophie Cunningham and the rest of the Fever finding their rhythm, this team is evolving from underdogs into serious contenders.
For all the hits, fouls, and words thrown her way, Caitlin Clark responded the only way she knows how—with fire in her eyes and the scoreboard in her favor.
Lesson learned: don’t poke the bear. And in Indiana, that bear wears number 22.