Following three consecutive losses, the Indiana Fever managed Sue Bird to snap their streak with a hard-fought win over the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 24 points, aided by a strong performance from Aliyah Boston — both stepping up in the absence of injured rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. Clark is expected to remain sidelined for at least another week as she continues her recovery.
While the injury has had a clear impact on the Fever’s gameplay, it has also created ripples among fans — especially those who purchased tickets specifically to see Clark in action. Her absence has sparked a wave of complaints and refund requests from fans who planned trips or paid premium prices expecting to witness her on the court. That sentiment, however, doesn’t sit well with WNBA icon Sue Bird.
In the latest episode of her A Touch More podcast, Bird addressed the situation head-on. She acknowledged the disappointment fans feel but called for a broader understanding of what it means to support the league.
“If you bought a ticket and someone’s hurt, yeah, that’s a tough break,” Bird said. “But we don’t say that in men’s sports. If LeBron or Steph is out for a few games, nobody’s offering refunds. It’s part of the game.”
Bird emphasized that while Clark’s presence brings undeniable attention, no single player stands above the league itself.
“She’s hurt. It sucks. But the WNBA continues,” Bird stated. “And if you want to support Caitlin, you have to support the league. She’s part of it. You can’t separate the two.”
Bird’s comments arrive amid a growing debate over how much weight one player should carry in a team-driven league. Her remarks challenge fans to see beyond the individual and embrace the bigger picture — that supporting the league means championing all of its athletes.