As for every Indiana game, the Fever fans lined up outside the Gainbridge Fieldhouse hours before the tip-off. On the menu? A clash of the rising Fever team with the reigning champions on an undefeated run, the New York Liberty. The stakes were high after their first matchup where Indiana gave up a 12-point lead and ultimately lost 90-88. But this time, not just a Commissioner’s Cup conference battle but the return of the literal pillar of Indiana’s strong offense– Caitlin Clark. 

After what hardship contract point guard Aari MacDonald did in the 5 games CC missed, the Des Moines native had to make a mark. And well, she lit up the already fired-up arena repping all-red No. 22. Bringing back her signature self-acclaimed “favorite shot” from beyond the arc, she rained it on the Liberty. In fact, here are some facts that could try to define what the reigning league ROTY did last night:

• The very first 6 points of the Indiana Fever came through Clark: 2 assists to Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston and a floater on her own account.
• Clark made three consecutive deep shots under 39 seconds– a 33-footer, 27-footer, and a 31-footer.
• Clark reached 25 points, a career-high for a half.
• The point guard ended the winning night with 7 three-pointers, matching her career high from last season.
• To wrap up the 102-88 home win, No. 22 added 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists; grazing what could be her second triple-double of the season.

Apart from her on-court influence that saw Indiana make a total of 17 shots of 35 attempts from beyond the arc, and their very first century scoring for the season, Clark’s presence also boosted the crowd. In her classic CC style, she hyped up the fans to cheer louder and fed off their energy despite taking multiple breaks to give her still nursing hamstring. No wonder, everyone was on their toes as the Fever gave the undefeated team their very first loss; but one thing got to the viewers at home– the commentary.

If you noticed at the beginning of the broadcast, the usual ESPN crew for the Fever games with Clark on the floor was missing. Primarily, it features former WNBA player and Hall of Famer – Rebecca Lobo, play-by-play caller Ryan Ruocco, and sideline reporter Holly Rowe. If not them, the usual alternate is play-by-play caller Debbie Antonelli and Pat Boylan. But this time around, the pair was a little mixed up. With Ruocco at home with his newborn son and Rowe not available, Lobo paired up with Pam Ward and the sideline reporter Christine Williamson. And it was not exactly what the viewers were looking for.

It wasn’t just about Ryan Ruocco’s “YOU BET!” every time Clark made a long shot, but the chemistry between him and Rebecca Lobo having called multiple games together and Ruocco’s energy itself amplified the viewing experience. In fact, he is more often than not, able to bring the arena atmosphere to the home viewers, something that was missing last night. Although, this is not to say that the pairing did not do anything, but that zinger, well, the fans definitely missed that!

Fans call out announcers for their “radio silence” during Caitlin Clark performance 

Imagine a sold-out arena, and not just any, but the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. And then imagine one of the most touted player, and proven so far, Caitlin Clark, returning from an injury after 19 days. The electricity was brimming out of Indiana. But the same energy fizzled out for the viewers watching from TV. Of course, they had a fair demand for the hyped clash of title contenders. (Yes, for many analysts, Indiana is a title contender this year!)

One fan didn’t hold back as they wrote, “These announcers are f—— a– bro she’s out here hitting shots from Cuba and it’s radio silence.” It wasn’t just a couple of threes as the crazy part is three of those shots came from at least 30 feet out. To put it in perspective, all six of her first-half triples were from way beyond the arc. Three from 30 feet+ (34, 31, 31) and three more from 27+ (28, 27, 27). Just to draw a comparison, the WNBA arc is at 22 feet and 1.75 inches. It gets crazier! In total, her seven made threes accounted for a jaw-dropping 199 feet. It didn’t feel real. 

But then again, it’s Caitlin Clark. So when ESPN’s crew didn’t hype it up like announcers usually do, fans felt robbed of the energy those moments deserved. And this isn’t the first time people have felt like the calls around Clark don’t match the moment. Another fan jumped in, “Only the WNBA could have announcers who make it sound like these were 3 straight misses.” Ouch! But again, fans need the energy, the pump, especially the ones not in the arena.

The irony is just last year, when Clark broke the WNBA’s single-season assist record with her 317th dime in a loss to the Aces, some fans were frustrated she got too much attention- even as Kelsey Mitchell was cooking in the first half. But now, tables have turned. Then there’s the bigger picture. One user said, “These WNBA announcers aren’t doing CC justice,” and that opened the floodgates again because this ESPN vs. Clark debate’s been simmering for a while.

Remember that whole mess when ESPN posted the 2025 WNBA Draft viewership record but compared it to 2023 instead of 2024? Why skip the Clark-fueled 2024 explosion? Elle Duncan tried clearing the air, saying 2024 was “anomalous” because of how big CC was, so ESPN picked a different baseline to show growth. But fans weren’t buying it. They felt it was a dodge, not fair play.

Then someone else penned, “They need to hire better announcers for these WNBA games lol they just be saying anything it sounds so stupid to me.” At this point, it wasn’t just about one game, it was about the whole vibe. Fans wanted voices who get the moment and don’t let history slip by in silence. It was no longer just about Clark or Indiana, it was about the entire league.

One fan even chimed in with, “Didn’t even realize this. I thought Ruocco called ESPN games?” The confusion is understandable. If Ryan Ruocco had been, this whole “no praise for Caitlin” situation probably wouldn’t have happened. But let’s be honest, it’s not just “praise.” Ruocco remains neutral, as the broadcasters should be. He would tip the hat to the opponents’ good plays as well. It’s just that that energy wasn’t there. However, he had a son that morning. They even showed him as their ‘best fits of the day’ portion. But yeah, they are friends.

Remember that sweet little moment they shared during her pregame debut this season? Ruocco’s been calling her games since her Iowa days, so he’s seen her entire rise, step by step. And every time Clark did something amazing, he always reached deep into his bag for the perfect call. The two share a genuinely beautiful on-air connection and fans have come to expect that kind of energy from the broadcast.

Because while fans live for those hyped-up, chaotic reactions from announcers that match the on-court madness, silence like this throws everything off. ESPN’s been supportive, sure, and most announcers do appreciate what Caitlin Clark brings but this one just didn’t land. We surely missed the “You bet!”