A’ja Wilson Tries to Defuse Angry Fans After TIME Article’s Subtle Dig at Caitlin Clark’s Injuries

Caitlin Clark and A'ja Wilson's relationship has grown ever since the two spent time together on the bench at the 2025 All-Star.

A’ja Wilson Tries to Defuse Angry Fans After TIME Article’s Subtle Dig at Caitlin Clark’s Injuries

A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

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Ever since Caitlin Clark has been shining the light on the WNBA, the corresponding impact has spread to all players as the league has grown exponentially.

For instance, even after winning two championships and two league MVP awards, A’ja Wilson was not finding sponsors lining up at her doorstep.

That changed when the Indiana Fever superstar came in, forcing Nike to first honor the Las Vegas Aces star with a signature sneaker, while keeping Clark’s at bay. During this time, a section of fans claimed that it was important to highlight the accomplishments and effort of Wilson and other established stars.

When that time finally came, in the form of TIME Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year, the article ended up referencing Caitlin Clark quite a few times.

The most egregious of them was when the author, Sean Gregory, wrote that the point guard’s injuries last season vindicated those who had always claimed that the league was growing in spite of Clark’s impact.

His claim of viewership growth was accurate. But it drew a lot of backlash from fans, who felt the Las Vegas-based author was not only biased but also tried to use Clark’s injuries to justify his views.

You can always tell who reads articles for joy and better understanding of something or someone vs. who reads articles just to look for something they disagree on or to “stir up” stuff, it’s crazy out here! Yall be blessed.

A’ja Wilson wrote on Threads
A'ja Wilson's message
A’ja Wilson’s message (Image via SS/Threads)

It seems A’ja Wilson understood where the narratives were going and tried to defuse the situation. However, it has not helped end the tirade fans are venting out on social media.

Podcaster points out attempts at using Caitlin Clark’s name to justify A’ja Wilson’s growth

At a time when WNBA fans should be rejoicing that another player has been named as TIME’s Athlete of the Year, some sections of the article ended up having the opposite of the desired effect.

A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark at the 2025 All-Star game
A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark at the 2025 All-Star game (Image via Chris/X)

TIME Magazine named her (Caitlin Clark) Sportsperson of the Year in 2024. Then, in 2025, turn around and put something like this in an article. That is supposed to prop A’ja. This is A’ja’s moment to shine.

Rachel DeMita said on Courtside Club

The former college basketball player was referring to a section where the author, Sean Gregory, wrote about how Caitlin Clark’s fame resulted in a racial divide and led to a toxic culture in the league, at least for a year.

DeMita pointed out how the Iowa native has, during TIME’s interview, shunned those narratives herself and has always spoken about highlighting Black WNBA stars.

Since the 6-foot point guard was not part of that toxic, racially divisive culture, the podcaster asked what the need was to include her in the article, especially when it was supposed to highlight A’ja Wilson’s accomplishments.

She believes this shows that journalists cannot do without including or talking about Caitlin Clark. To her, this goes on to prove that the WNBA’s attention starts and ends with the Fever superstar.

Rival head coach speaks about Caitlin Clark’s impact

On the topic of how many fans were not ready to give Caitlin Clark her flowers for growing the game, Cori Close, who has coached the Iowa superstar, as well as against her, said this:

Even though I coach at UCLA, I can appreciate the impact of what’s happening with Juju at USC… I think that you have to have a broader view of growing the game… The reality is, Caitlin, has risen a level of fanbase that has broadened it that we are all benefiting from.

Cori Close said on Stephen A. Smith’s podcast

The UCLA head coach reiterated that it is important to take into account everyone who is helping grow women’s basketball. She believes one can be appreciative of others while still promoting their own.

Then she revealed how she saw an infectious charisma in the then-Iowa Hawkeyes star when Close was coaching them for USA Basketball’s under-19 teams. Close believes that has led to where the WNBA is currently.

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