“We’re going to be smart, and we’re going to be cautious. We’re going to play the long game and work her back in very intentionally.” This is how Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White described the team’s strategy surrounding Caitlin Clark. Despite being one of the finest players across the league, Clark’s sophomore run has been marred by injuries. After a solid 32-point comeback from a left quad injury that left her sidelined for almost three weeks, Clark weaved her magic in five games before being sidelined again.

While this groin injury led to Clark’s absence in four consecutive games, there was a sliver of hope. Known for having one of the largest fan bases in the W, they came in support of the guard ahead of the 2025 All-Star games. With a total of 1,293,526 fan votes in her belt, not only did Clark lead the all-time favorites list but was also declared the obvious captain ahead of the event. On the other hand, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier closely followed in second place with an impressive 1,176,020 votes. Needless to say, Collier became the captain of the opposing team. But the All-Star drama did not end here.

The official WNBA account took to social media to reveal a new development surrounding the games. The official WNBA Communications department broke the news on X (former Twitter) and wrote, “With the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game head coaches slated to come from the two teams with the best winning percentage through tonight’s games, the All-Star coaching staffs are now set!” Slated for a July 18-19 weekend, the All-Star event is a glamorous celebration that hosts the WNBA’s brightest and favorite stars under the same roof. 

Revealing the All-Star coaches with more than 10 days to go before the event begins, the account added, “And with the head coach of the top-ranked team scheduled to guide the All-Star team whose captain earned the most fan votes, here are your 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game head coaches: Team Clark will be coached by Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. Team Collier will be coached by New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello.”

It is only natural to have the finest head coaches from the league’s top-ranked teams guiding in the upcoming exhibition event. However, the recent development surrounding Cheryl Reeve had fans in splits. Now set to coach Team Caitlin Clark instead of guiding her own locker room player, Napheesa Collier, fans could not help but ponder over the fate of the reigning rookie ahead of the All-Star games. 

Fans get triggered after the WNBA’s update surrounding Cheryl Reeve

The recent developments ahead of the 2025 All-Star event were enough to cause a stir in the WNBA community. After all, it is fan favorite Caitlin Clark’s team that will come under the scrutiny of one of the toughest head coaches in the league- Cheryl Reeve. No wonder fans took to X (former Twitter), in hopes that the league’s decision is not final and binding.

“No one wants Cheryle Reeves. She is WNBA old guard. We need new energy,” a user wrote on X. After the league’s announcement surrounding the Minnesota Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve, people started calling out the W for choosing Reeve. Despite being one of the most celebrated coaches in the league, the user pointed out how the W is still clinging onto its ‘old guard.’ The user suggested that the All-Star games can use a relatively newer and younger face to guide the teams.

On the other hand, as the President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Lynx, Cheryl Reeve is a headstrong personality. Though she has been coaching for the Lynx since 2009, Reeve and her frustrated outbursts have been a popular theme. And while the Lynx needs that kind of leadership to churn out 4 championship rings, her coaching style might not be suited for the Fever star.

Another user suggested, “Can we trade Reeve for free agent Lisa Bluder?” The user wished that the league could incorporate former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder. She was Caitlin Clark’s head coach during the star’s college days, and the two shared a great on-court rapport and understanding. Unfortunately for fans, Bluder retired from coaching duties, and she is restarting her career as a sports analyst for the Big Ten Network.

Meanwhile, there were other users who demanded a major All-Star change. A user simply quizzed, “Can they swap coaches?” Clearly, Reeve does not have a good reputation among the fans. Having said that, another user also had a similar request against the Minnesota Lynx HC. “Please swap coaches,” they wrote. It is not a mere request, but rather a plea.

Having said that, Sandy Brondello is a strong and resilient head coach who successfully led the New York Liberty to a WNBA Championship title last season. Besides, Brondello’s locker room started this season from right where they left off- clinching the topmost rank in the 2025 Eastern Conference division rankings so far. 

Comparing the two head coaches from last year’s lenses, the fans experienced Reeve’s coaching in the All-Star and have associated that with Reeve’s losing team. Maybe the fans are calling out the decision because they do not wish to watch their favorite Fever player lose this season. “Bring back Cheryl Miller!!!” a user wrote in this spirit, hinting at last year’s success of Cheryl Miller. Miller and Reeve were the two coaches during the 2024 All-Star games.

And clearly, Miller led Team USA and Caitlin Clark to a glorious win. Despite winning four Coach of the Year awards, fans are more comfortable watching Miller than letting Reeve coach this season, too. The growing resentment surrounding Reeve also stems from her strong and idealistic personality. She is often criticised for not entertaining newer ideas or voices. Moreover, Reeve is known for her short temper.

All these qualities automatically put the coach in poor light, and fans have questioned her role in the upcoming All-Star event. Instead of serving as a celebration of women’s basketball, the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is already falling apart. As troubles keep brewing in paradise with hardly any time left before the games commence, how will the W and the Indiana Fever pull it off? Only time will tell.