The basketball world is in shock as Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever delivered a stunning upset, handing Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury a humiliating loss that no one saw coming — especially Griner herself.

After weeks of tension, subtle jabs, and high-pressure matchups, this game was billed as a battle of eras: the veteran dominance of Brittney Griner vs. the fiery rise of Caitlin Clark. But by the final buzzer, there was only one headline: “Clark Outshines Griner — Big Time.”

THE BUILD-UP: HISTORY VS. HYPE

Brittney Griner, a WNBA legend and Olympic gold medalist, was expected to dominate the rookie. But Clark — who’s been the target of harsh criticism and physical play since joining the league — came into the game with something to prove.

And prove it she did.

Clark racked up impressive points, sharp assists, and multiple clutch plays, leaving defenders scrambling and Griner struggling to respond.

“She looked completely outplayed,” one commentator admitted. “Clark just lit the court on fire.”

“INSTANT REGRET” MOMENTS CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Social media exploded when cameras caught Griner shaking her head in frustration during a fourth-quarter timeout, as Clark nailed back-to-back threes that ignited the crowd.

“That look on Griner’s face? That was instant regret for underestimating the rookie,” a fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Even more telling? Griner reportedly left the court without speaking to reporters, a rare move that fans say shows just how much the loss stung.

FANS CAN’T STOP TALKING

The aftermath? Explosive reactions from both sides:

“Caitlin Clark just embarrassed a WNBA legend. And she did it with class.”
“Maybe next time, they’ll stop treating her like she doesn’t belong.”

Meanwhile, Fever fans are calling this the turning point of the season — and possibly the moment Clark cemented her arrival as the league’s next unstoppable force.

WHAT’S NEXT?

While neither Griner nor Clark has commented publicly on the game’s drama, insiders say tensions are rising behind the scenes — and a rematch could already be in the works.

One thing’s for sure: the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and WNBA veterans just got very, very real

True Reason Why Brittney Griner Only Played Two Minutes vs. Caitlin Clark Revealed

The Indiana Fever wrapped up their preseason with a hard-fought 81-76 win over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, keeping their slate clean at 3-0. After a strong start in the first quarter, the Fever faced a resilient Dream squad that kept things close all game long. But Indiana pulled away in the fourth, thanks to Lexie Hull’s 14-point effort and key contributions from Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark.

Clark, playing in her second preseason game, impressed again. She scored 13 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out seven assists. The No. 1 overall pick helped Indiana maintain momentum after Atlanta closed the gap late in the second quarter. Though she finished the game on the bench, Clark’s performance ensured the Fever entered the regular season on a high note.

Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) against Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during a WNBA game at Footprint Center.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

On the Dream’s side, fans were surprised to see Brittney Griner play just two minutes. The 6-foot-9 center started strong, hitting a 24-foot three-pointer, her only shot, and securing a defensive rebound before heading back to the locker room. But as Indy Star reporter Chloe Peterson shared on X, “BG just ran back to the locker room… Didn’t look serious… something to monitor.”

The Athletic’s Ben Pickman also confirmed that, “No injury, just she will sit out the remainder of the game with rest, per the team.”

It turns out the team simply chose to rest Griner. After a stellar preseason debut, 16 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes, against the Mystics, Atlanta decided to preserve their star before the regular season. Griner, an 11-year WNBA veteran and two-time scoring champion, has averaged 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks over her career.

With her experience and impact, the Dream are clearly prioritizing her health and freshness heading into the season opener against Washington.