"Dear Caitlin Clark mob...": Fans obsessed with Angel Reese’s defeat in the WNBA Finals get a major reality check

Angel Reese’s disappointing finish to the 2026 WNBA Finals has sparked another heated debate among basketball fans, prompting former NBA player Etan Thomas to call out supporters who’ve repeatedly targeted the Atlanta Dream star.

Following Atlanta’s 68-63 Game 7 defeat against the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday, Reese became the subject of considerable criticism across social media.

Thomas , however, wasn't impressed with the celebrations surrounding her struggles and questioned why certain Caitlin Clark supporters were so invested in another player's disappointment.

In a lengthy Threads post on Monday, Thomas sarcastically congratulated the so-called Caitlin Clark mob for celebrating Reese’s defeat before pointing out that their favorite player never reached the championship series.

"Dear Caitlin Clark Mob, First of all, congratulations!!! You did it!!!" Thomas wrote.

"Angel Reese lost in the WNBA Finals!!! I know this must feel like a championship for you all. The celebrations, the victory laps, the obsession with her Game 7 stats. Y'all are something else. But since we’re talking about stats, I had a quick question.

"How many points did Caitlin Clark score in the WNBA Finals? How many assists? How many logo threes?"

Thomas also brought Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham into the discussion, referencing her viral finger-pointing gesture during a heated exchange with DeWanna Bonner earlier in the season.

He suggested that some supporters appeared more interested in Cunningham's personality and social media moments than the basketball itself.

The former Washington Wizards center argued that Reese deserved recognition for helping Atlanta reach the championship round rather than becoming the target of relentless negativity.

Reese finished Game 7 with eight points, 12 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and four turnovers while shooting 3-of-7 from the field.

Dave Portnoy adds fuel to the Angel Reese debate

Thomas wasn't the only prominent personality discussing Reese's performance. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy also took aim at the forward following Atlanta's defeat, continuing his criticism of the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year.

A well-known Clark supporter, Portnoy shared footage highlighting Reese's struggles and questioned the argument that she deserved consideration for the Finals MVP award.

He particularly focused on her production during the Dream's final three defeats.

According to Portnoy , Reese managed just 23 points on 7-of-27 shooting, converting approximately 25% of her attempts. He also highlighted her eight successful free throws from 13 attempts and 13 turnovers across those games.

Portnoy described her performances as a complete disaster, arguing that criticism shouldn't automatically be dismissed as personal dislike. He also pointed to her limited scoring contributions in Games 4, 5 and 7, when Atlanta desperately needed offensive production.

Nevertheless, Reese's overall Finals contribution deserves context. She averaged 14.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists throughout the series, alongside 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

Her defensive presence and rebounding remained important components of Atlanta's championship run.

Golden State ultimately secured its first championship after winning the deciding contest 68-63, ending Atlanta's hopes of lifting the trophy.

The contrasting reactions from Thomas and Portnoy underline how divisive the WNBA's biggest personalities have become.

With the 2026 season now over, the debate surrounding Reese , Clark and their respective supporters doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.