Caitlin Clark kicked off her 2025 WNBA regular season campaign in dominant fashion, dropping 20 points to lead the Indiana Fever past the Chicago Sky with a commanding 93-58 win in their season opener.

But that high was short-lived. In their second matchup, the Fever fell in a nail-biting 91-90 loss to the Atlanta Dream. However, Clark didn’t let that setback linger. On May 22, she came back with a vengeance — and a little humor — as Indiana defeated Atlanta 81-76 in a statement game.

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Fans Love Caitlin Clark’s Unbothered Gesture

During the third game of Indiana’s new season, tensions flared when Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream appeared to initiate a heated exchange with Clark. Instead of engaging, Clark offered nothing more than a calm thumbs-up.

The gesture was so unexpectedly cool that fans loved every bit of it.

While Howard may have looked to rattle the 23-year-old, Clark instead de-escalated the moment with grace, then let her game do the talking. She scored 11 crucial points and guided the Fever to a victory that felt like poetic justice. It wasn’t just about the scoreboard. It was about who stayed composed in the chaos.

“Hilarious! 😂. And she got the last laugh,” wrote one fan.

One fan even likened Clark’s reaction to soccer legend Lionel Messi. Much like Messi during his time at FC Barcelona, Clark exuded an aura of calm confidence: never rattled by the noise, never distracted by the drama. Whether it was a taunt or trash talk, she stayed locked in and focused on the win. It’s that kind of presence that separates the good from the great.

“Messi aura,” wrote another fan.

Clark’s reaction didn’t just show her maturity. It reminded fans of her well-known sense of humor. Her charisma has often shone through during practice sessions, where her jokes keep teammates laughing. That same quick wit was on display during her surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live”, where she effortlessly blended charm with comedy.

“CC is legit the most hilarious person,” said one fan.

While most fans were busy celebrating Clark’s viral thumbs-up moment, a few took a deeper dive into the on-court performance itself. These fans highlighted the contrast between Clark and Howard’s impact during the game.

“Rhyne did drop 20 last game and 24 pts today,” said one user.

It can be said that Clark’s thumbs-up to Howard wasn’t just a moment. It was a message: she’s not here for the drama. She’s here to dominate and maybe crack a joke while doing so.

Despite a fair bit of drama surrounding Clark in the young WNBA season, Clark continues to impress on the court. She’s currently averaging 19.3 points per game. Up next, she and the Fever are set to take on the New York Liberty on May 24, in what promises to be another high-stakes matchup.