2 MIN AGO: Caitlin Clark FROZEN OUT By Teammate Natasha Howard | It’s Personal
It was supposed to be a fresh start—a new era for the Indiana Fever, with rookie sensation Caitlin Clark at the center of an ambitious rebuild. But as the opening weeks of the WNBA season have shown, chemistry can be as elusive as a buzzer-beater. In a stunning development that fans can’t stop talking about, Caitlin Clark is reportedly being “frozen out” by teammate Natasha Howard, and, according to insiders, the tension on the court is more than just basketball. It’s personal.
A Frosty Reception
Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA drew a tidal wave of attention. The all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball was expected to electrify the league, rejuvenate the Indiana Fever, and perhaps even shift the culture of women’s sports as a whole. Ticket sales soared, TV ratings spiked, and hope surged among Fever fans.
But not everyone in the locker room was immediately on board. Natasha Howard, the veteran forward, is a three-time WNBA champion, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and someone who has built her career on grit and hard work. And while women’s basketball has always been about sisterhood and support, it’s also fiercely competitive. Reports out of Indiana’s camp have suggested a visible chill between Clark and Howard, manifesting in a very on-court way: the classic basketball power move—being “frozen out.”
What does being frozen out mean? In layman’s terms, it’s when a player is intentionally left out of plays, denied passes, and given fewer opportunities to contribute. The ball simply doesn’t find them, no matter how open they are. And fans have noticed: In several recent games, Clark has been consistently overlooked—even when she’s in a prime scoring position.
The Clues in the Box Score
A pattern has begun to emerge. Advanced stats from the early season show that Caitlin Clark receives significantly fewer passes from Natasha Howard than from any other starter. In several games, on sequences where Howard could have made a quick kick-out to Clark at the arc—a shot Clark built her legend on—Howard chose to drive into traffic or swing the ball elsewhere.
Commentators and analysts are split. Some describe it as a veteran keeping a rookie humble; others call it a chemistry issue. But after another tough loss last night, in which Clark went long stretches without meaningful touches, the elephant in the room couldn’t be ignored. Social media lit up. #FrozenOut trended as fans posted video clips highlighting the disconnect.
One particularly viral moment: the third quarter, Clark weaved open near the top of the key. Howard, double-teamed, had a clear outlet to Clark—one that would normally result in an automatic three. Instead, Howard hesitated, forced up a contested shot, and afterwards could be seen avoiding Clark’s eye as they ran back on defense.
“It’s Personal” — Sources Speak
It’s a harsh business, the WNBA. Teammates aren’t always friends. And in the high-pressure world of professional sports, personalities can clash. What’s different in Indiana, sources close to the team report, is that this isn’t just about basketball.
“This goes deeper than X’s and O’s,” said one league insider who requested anonymity. “There’s long-standing frustration among some veterans that Clark is being promoted as the savior, before she’s even played a full season. Natasha is old-school; she wants the new kid to earn it, not have it handed to her.”
Other sources point to off-court tensions. Clark’s rapid rise has brought the Fever huge attention, sometimes overshadowing the grind and achievements of vets like Howard. The rookie’s endorsement deals, interviews, and even her own signature shoe line have made her WNBA royalty overnight. Meanwhile, long-serving players, many with decorated careers, haven’t seen that kind of spotlight.
Is jealousy rearing its head? A former WNBA player, speaking on a podcast, suggested that this isn’t unusual: “Every league, every locker room, there’s a pecking order. When a star comes in, you either welcome them, or you fight for your space. Looks like Natasha’s drawing a line.”
Coaches Caught in the Middle
The Indiana Fever coaching staff, for their part, have downplayed any signs of internal tension. Head coach Christie Sides has consistently preached unity and praised both Clark and Howard for their professionalism.
But coaching a roster with high expectations and strong personalities is a delicate dance. The Fever desperately need Clark’s scoring and playmaking, but they also rely on Howard’s leadership and defense. With games piling up, finding a balance between empowering a rookie and respecting the status of veterans is trickier than ever.
Ironically, coaches often like to see a certain “edge” in their teams. Internal competition can spark improvement, as long as it doesn’t cross over into outright sabotage. The question Indiana faces: is the rivalry between Clark and Howard fueling the team—or burning it from within?
The Fans React
Across social media, the debate has reached a fever pitch. Some fans blame Howard for not supporting Clark’s growth, while others argue Clark should prove herself on the court rather than expect special treatment.
“Let the rookie earn her stripes!” one fan posted on Twitter. “Howard’s done more for this team than Caitlin has. No free passes.”
Another replied: “Are you joking? How are you gonna freeze out your best shooter? Let her cook!”
Instagram reels, TikToks, and Reddit threads dissect every play, every pass—every missed opportunity for Clark to get going. Meanwhile, Clark herself has stayed graceful under pressure; in a recent post-game interview, when asked about her touches, she smiled and said, “We’ve got a lot of talent on this team. I’ll get my looks. I trust my teammates.”
What Happens Next?
Locker rooms can be healed by one thing: winning. If Clark and Howard can put any personal issues aside, the Fever have a chance to exceed expectations this season. It may depend on a crucial conversation—one that puts egos aside and puts the team’s goals first.
Insiders predict a team meeting is imminent. Coaches will demand unity, and the stars, both old and new, will have to decide what matters most: personal pride or collective success.
For now, fans will watch every minute, hoping to see the ice thaw and Caitlin Clark unleashed. Whether Indiana’s season is defined by internal power struggles—or by a rookie and a veteran finally finding common ground—remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: with personalities this big and stakes this high, the drama is just getting started. Stay tuned.
