Cheryl Reeve makes Caitlin Clark demand to WNBA leaders after impressive performance

On the heels of yet another strong performance from Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark , Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve implored WNBA top brass to capitalize on the star guard's talents.

The Fever trailed by seven points entering the fourth quarter of Sunday’s contest, but they outscored the Lynx 28-14 in the final 10 minutes of the game to defeat Minnesota, 81-74. Clark was integral in Indiana’s late turnaround, recording 10 points and two assists in the fourth quarter en route to finishing the night with 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals.

As has been the case for much of the season, scores of WNBA supporters flocked to Target Center in Minneapolis to catch a glimpse of Clark. Fever and Iowa college basketball jerseys bearing No. 22 littered the stands, with the sellout crowd routinely expressing their support for the away team.

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Once Clark and Co. assumed the lead in the closing minutes of the contest, fans in attendance erupted into a state of pandemonium. Prior to tipoff, Reeve joked that she wasn’t fazed by the fact that the Lynx would likely be playing in front of a pro-Fever crowd despite being at home.

“I don’t give two -----. Not even one ----,” Reeve told reporters during a pre-game press conference.

After the game, Reeve was asked to provide her thoughts on the playoff-like atmosphere, and the measures she believed the WNBA should take in order to replicate the uproarious environment across the league.

“I mean, I don’t know that I quite understand the question in that everybody knows that the reason why our teams around the league are having sellouts are because Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are coming to town,” she began.

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“Angel Reese has impacted their attendance at the Chicago games. I suspect on the road as well. So what the league can do is be ready to capitalize on the moments, but it’s much like when we saw Bird and Magic come in the league, right.

“The league has been building for a watershed moment and we’re here,” Reeve continued. “Now, you’ve got to take advantage of it. It’s beyond just kind of saying, okay, well the Indiana Fever and they’re selling out and you’re just sitting back and watching it.

“How, (what) other ways can you monetize and capitalize on it. That’s obviously a business-layered thing, but that’s how I think you could capitalize.”

The WNBA has benefited greatly from the arrival of Clark and other star rookies, with more eyes than ever now on the league that was founded in 1996. In particular, several Fever games - both at home and on the road - have been transferred to larger venues in order to accommodate the massive crowds that routinely come to watch her play.

Other teams have begun to creatively play off Clark’s celebrity status. Even before the 22-year-old was selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the Phoenix Mercury began heralding their matchup against the Fever as "The GOAT vs. The Rook" - referencing star guard Diana Taurasi and Clark.