Caitlin Clark is the undeniable center of the WNBA spotlight, a rising star lighting up the league. Yet, as the regular season approaches, the harsh reality of roster cuts spares no one—even those close to her. On May 14, 14 players were waived league-wide, including a Fever standout who spent two seasons alongside Clark and proved her worth. Cheryl Reeve didn’t mince words: “She’s a good player.” Still, Minnesota made the tough call to cut her.

The WNBA community is now divided—some see it as ruthless roster management, others as a heartbreaking loss of potential and loyalty.

According to a post by Underdog WNBA on X, “Grace Berger has been waived by the Lynx.” What makes this cut sting more than others is Berger’s deep Indiana roots and her connection to Caitlin Clark during their epic Big Ten battles. After being drafted seventh overall by the Fever in 2023 and logging 48 games over two seasons, Berger was let go earlier this year, only to be picked up by Minnesota off waivers on February 7.

Now, just months later, she finds herself waived…again. 

What makes this even more painful? Just 10 days ago, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was singing her praises: “The game is easy for Grace… her ability to get to her spots is uncanny… she’s a good player.” Yet, even glowing endorsements can’t always save a player from the ruthless reality of WNBA roster cuts. 

Berger’s rollercoaster journey—from college stardom to fighting for roster scraps—has left the WNBA community divided, and the fans had a lot to say. 

Fans Clash Over Caitlin Clark’s Former Fever Teammate Grace Berger’s Waiver

One fan shrugged it off, saying, “Saw that coming. Hopefully, she’ll get picked up elsewhere. There’s a few teams that could use her.”

Not exactly, with the May 16 roster deadline looming and the regular season tipping off the next day, the window is closing fast. Unless a team calls her back on a hardship contract mid-season—a rare lifeline in the WNBA—it’s looking unlikely Berger suits up for any team this year.

Another fan flat-out said, “Duh, that makes sense to me.”

But is it really that black and white? Berger may not have wowed in preseason—she scored 7 points on 3-of-7 shooting with 2 assists in the Lynx’s opener against the Sky and snagged a lone offensive rebound in six quiet minutes during game two—but her pedigree speaks for itself. She was, after all, a Big Ten legend.

Some fans, however, zeroed in on the roster math, with one venting, “I’m shocked they went with Alissa Pili over her.”

Sure, on paper, it looks like a close call. Pili’s size—she’s got about 5 centimeters on Berger—gives her a slight edge as a stretch forward. Plus, she didn’t miss a shot in her 19 minutes during the first preseason game, going 3-of-3 from the floor, including a triple, to rack up 9 points and 3 boards. Game two? Less impressive: just 2 points in 11 minutes.

Still, Berger’s not exactly chopped liver. As Cheryl Reeve herself noted, the guard has diversified her game beyond her midrange comfort zone. Reeve praised her ability to stretch the floor and slot into multiple positions, saying, “She’s not just an off-ball guard.” In fact, Reeve could easily envision her running an offense overseas. “She’s a good player,” the coach added. But in a cold league with unforgiving numbers, being “good” doesn’t always cut it.

Another fan pointed the finger elsewhere, speculating, “Aw. I really thought she would make it. Reeve must really like the Russian girl Kosu.”

That could still unfold. The Lynx need to trim one more player before the final 12-player roster is locked in, and while Dorka Juhász and Alissa Pili seem safe, players like Natália Kuš (Kosu) might still face the final microscope in the next 48 hours.

And then there were the broken hearts. One fan summed up the sentiment of many saying, “Dang it, she was gonna be so good with this system. Today is making me so sad.”

Yeah, it’s that kind of day. But fans might have to take a deep breath and trust Cheryl Reeve’s judgment on this one. After all, she’s the same coach who’s led the Lynx to seven WNBA Finals and captured four championships since 2011. Even if her recent words about Berger’s talent now feel like echoes swallowed up by the harsh realities of WNBA roster cuts.