Caitlin Clark’s rookie season in the WNBA has been a spectacle of extremes — from dazzling highlights to harsh growing pains. But now, with her recent shooting slump raising eyebrows across the basketball world, the buzz is turning into serious concern. And it just got louder after Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum publicly weighed in, offering a brutally honest assessment that sent shockwaves through fans and analysts alike.
“This isn’t just a cold streak,” Plum said in a post-game interview that’s now gone viral. “There’s something deeper going on — mentally, physically, maybe even organizationally. And if we’re not real about it, we’re not helping her.”
Plum’s words landed like a lightning bolt across the WNBA landscape, especially considering the heightened attention Clark has drawn this season. Once hailed as the savior of women’s basketball, the No. 1 overall pick is now facing intense scrutiny amid her shooting woes — and the conversation is shifting from mere numbers to the weight of expectations, team dynamics, and the demands of life as a professional athlete.
Over the past six games, Clark has averaged just 11.4 points on a dismal 31% shooting from the field and 22% from beyond the arc — a far cry from the offensive fireworks she brought to Iowa just a few months ago. Gone are the deep pull-up threes and effortless assists that once defined her college dominance. Instead, Clark looks tentative, rushed, and visibly frustrated.
“She’s missing shots she normally hits in her sleep,” one WNBA scout told reporters anonymously. “Her footwork’s off, her release is rushed, and it looks like she’s second-guessing everything.”
Social media has been quick to amplify the slump, with critics pointing to the pressure of being the league’s most marketed player while carrying a rebuilding Indiana Fever team still learning how to win.
Kelsey Plum, a former No. 1 overall pick herself and now a two-time WNBA champion, didn’t mince words.
“She’s being asked to do way too much, way too soon. It’s unfair. The expectations, the media circus, the fanfare — it’s all gaslighting the reality of what it takes to succeed at this level,” Plum said.
Plum also pointed fingers at Indiana’s system, suggesting Clark isn’t being put in positions to succeed.
“She needs structure. She needs spacing. And most of all, she needs time. She’s not a miracle worker. No rookie is.”
The Aces guard emphasized that rookies struggle all the time — but what’s different with Clark is the magnitude of attention and the lack of patience from fans and pundits alike.
“It’s easy to cheer when someone’s hot,” Plum added. “But where’s the support when they’re figuring it out? Caitlin deserves room to grow.”
Clark’s struggles have also cast a harsh light on the Indiana Fever’s coaching staff and roster construction. Questions are being raised about whether the franchise has surrounded her with the right talent — or system — to allow her to thrive.
While Aliyah Boston remains a rising star, the rest of the supporting cast has been inconsistent at best. Defensive lapses, poor floor spacing, and questionable in-game adjustments have plagued the Fever, who currently sit near the bottom of the standings.
“She’s facing double teams the second she crosses half-court,” said one former WNBA player turned analyst. “When no one else is a threat, defenses load up on her, and there’s no outlet. That’s not a shooting slump — that’s a failure of system.”
Even Clark herself has acknowledged the challenge.
“I’m not happy with how I’m playing,” she said in a recent presser. “But I trust the process. I’m learning every game, and I’m not backing down.”
Beyond the Xs and Os, Plum’s comments also highlighted a more sensitive and often overlooked dimension — the mental toll of being Caitlin Clark in 2025.
From the moment she entered the league, Clark has been under a microscope. Every shot, every miss, every facial expression is dissected and debated in real time across social media. Add to that the responsibility of carrying a franchise desperate for relevance and the constant media appearances, endorsement deals, and off-court obligations — it’s a recipe for burnout.
“People forget, she’s 22,” Plum said. “She’s barely had time to breathe. Let her be a rookie. Let her struggle. That’s part of the journey.”
Mental health advocates have echoed those sentiments. One WNBA mental performance coach (who requested anonymity) said the key for Clark now is to stay grounded amid the chaos.
“When a player like Caitlin goes through a slump, it’s not just physical,” they said. “It’s mental exhaustion. It’s identity crisis. It’s self-doubt creeping in after being celebrated like a god for so long. That’s a heavy burden.”
Clark’s next few games will be critical — not just for her statistics, but for her psyche. How she responds to this adversity could shape the narrative of her rookie season and beyond.
The Fever organization has publicly backed her, with head coach Christie Sides stating: “We’re not worried. Caitlin’s a competitor. She’ll work through this.”
Still, fans are restless. The WNBA has seen unprecedented viewership and attendance spikes largely tied to Clark’s presence, and the pressure for her to deliver feels heavier with each passing game.
But Kelsey Plum’s words may serve as a much-needed reset — a reminder that greatness is forged through struggle, not gifted without resistance.
“Every star in this league had to go through it,” Plum said. “What Caitlin’s facing now? That’s her fire. That’s her proving ground. And trust me — she’ll come out stronger.”
Plum’s candid remarks have sparked widespread discussion among fellow players, media members, and fans. Some praised her for telling the hard truth, while others criticized the perceived shade toward Clark and the Fever.
Yet many players rallied behind Clark, echoing Plum’s calls for patience and structural change.
“Give her time,” tweeted Natasha Cloud. “Y’all acting like she’s done. Nah — she’s just getting started.”
Veteran Sue Bird chimed in during a podcast: “She’s adjusting to the speed, the schemes, the pressure. That takes time. No one walks into this league and dominates for 40 minutes a night out the gate.”
Even Clark’s college coach, Lisa Bluder, weighed in via a brief statement: “She’s always responded to adversity with poise and purpose. Don’t count her out. Ever.”
What Caitlin Clark is going through now isn’t new in the grand scheme of basketball history. Every legend — from Diana Taurasi to Maya Moore to Candace Parker — has had stretches of struggle. What’s different is that Clark’s journey is unfolding in the most watched, most talked-about WNBA season ever.
And thanks to Kelsey Plum’s bold intervention, the conversation is now evolving beyond “What’s wrong with Caitlin Clark?” to “How do we build an environment where she can flourish?”
One thing’s for sure: the rookie isn’t shying away from the storm. And neither is the league.
Whether this slump is a temporary setback or the beginning of a major adjustment period, Caitlin Clark remains at the heart of women’s basketball’s biggest story. But as Kelsey Plum made clear — she shouldn’t have to carry it alone.
