Former NBA professional Etan Thomas has stepped into the debate surrounding Angel Reese, delivering a sharp critique of Caitlin Clark’s fanbase following the conclusion of the 2026 WNBA Finals. Thomas, who played in the NBA from 2000 to 2011 and spent two seasons alongside Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards, took to the social media platform Threads on Monday to express his support for the Atlanta Dream star.
Reese faced significant backlash on social media after her performance in Game 7 on Saturday. In the 68-63 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year recorded eight points, 12 rebounds, and four turnovers while shooting 3-for-7. Despite this outcome, Thomas praised Reese for her pivotal role in leading the Dream to the championship series, where she averaged 14.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 3.9 turnovers.
Addressing the criticism, Thomas asserted that followers of Caitlin Clark possess a specific dedication to disparaging Reese.
He pointedly challenged those fans by referencing the Indiana Fever’s early exit from the postseason, asking, “How many points did Caitlin score? In his defense of Reese, Thomas also referenced Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who has seen a surge in popularity this season. He noted a viral moment from a June game where Cunningham famously stood still and pointed at then-Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner, an action that turned into a widespread internet meme. The gesture went viral and instantly became a meme.
The discourse surrounding the Finals has been multifaceted, with other public figures weighing in. Dave Portnoy recently described Reese’s performance as a “disasterclass,” stating he would not categorize her on the same level as Clark. Meanwhile, other fans have drawn comparisons between the championship-winning Golden State Valkyries and the 2004 Detroit Pistons, highlighting their historic title run achieved without a single player earning All-WNBA selection.
