The spotlight surrounding Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever has extended beyond basketball over the last week, and it only increased after their game against the Minnesota Lynx. Clark’s stance on one of the WNBA’s most polarizing topics in a debate sparked by Sophie Cunningham ignited backlash from fans expecting her to defend her teammate.

Speaking to reporters after Indiana’s 108-100 loss to the Lynx, Clark was asked about protecting women’s sports in the ongoing debate surrounding the participation of transgender athletes. Instead of expressing her opinion, she opted to shift focus and place responsibility for the matter on the league and its leadership.

“I think for us, it’s not really a discussion we really have in our locker room. I think it’s for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions. But our focus is on basketball, and that’s what we talk about and how we can get wins. And obviously we didn’t do that tonight.”

Clark’s response in the conference came after yet another Sophie Cunningham-related rally outside the Target Center before the August 2 game between the two teams.

This was the third such rally, which was ignited by Cunningham’s comments about trans athletes in a profile from ESPN, but the response against her wasn’t just positive.

Throughout the game, Cunningham was booed whenever she touched the ball. It was a repeat of the team’s last game against the Portland Fire, which featured another rally in support of Cunningham.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, for her part, didn’t shy away from the topic before tip-off, suggesting that women’s sport has other problems.

“I come from a space of inclusion. The narrative that I think is problematic is to suggest that transgender athletes are the biggest problem in women’s sports. This is what’s bothersome. There is a faction of people in our country that are making this a massive issue,” said Reeve.

She wore a t-shirt that said, “Trans Kids Belong.” Though this was partially covered by a jacket, the message was clear. Cunningham and Reeve even had a conversation on the sideline.

After the game, the Lynx coach said she would prefer not to share the details of the interaction with the media. But Reeve did elaborate on how it felt to have an in-person conversation with the player.

“I think it’s great. Both of us understand that we have platforms. We both talked about wanting to educate. There’s some things we have in common and some things we differ on, just like any issue. I think it’s how you handle things. So it was nice to be in person for sure.”

Clark’s approach was a different story, and it didn’t take long for reactions to follow. Her decision to not take a strong stance quickly became a talking point.

Caitlin Clark’s measured response sparks mixed reactions online

Fan reactions ranged from frustrated to hostile, with some questioning whether pressure silenced her, and others accusing the guard of dodging tough questions.

FOX Sports reporter Jackson Thompson, who posted a clip of Clark’s interview, was one of these people.

“Caitlin Clark dodges question on protecting women’s sports,” wrote Thompson.

While some critics used measured language, others were far harsher. OutKick commentator Jon Root expressed a similar sentiment, but in far more scathing terms.

“When given the opportunity to stand with Sophie Cunningham in the fight to keep women’s sports & spaces female, Caitlin Clark dodged the question,” he wrote. “It’s not hard to say that men shouldn’t be competing in women’s sports. It’s common sense. It’s the truth.”

Even longtime fans of Clark expressed frustration over her perceived reluctance to back her teammate, Cunningham.

One such fan wrote, “I will always defend Caitlin Clark every chance I get. But I’m truly sick and tired of watching her stay silent on men in women’s sports and not stand by Sophie, who’s had her back since day one. At some point you have to take a stance and speak out, girl.”

Another comment expressed this sentiment, but was more direct about how they felt.

“No one has Sophie’s back. Disgusting,” they wrote.

Many wondered if there was another reason for her not expressing her opinion, with one commenter presenting his theory.

One such comment read, “Very disappointing. Of course the pressure she is under is immense and maybe she didn’t think she could take anymore. Still…”

Regardless of Clark’s stance in the debate on trans athletes, it’s clear that the scrutiny surrounding her is not getting any less intense.