Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever experienced a disappointing defeat on Thursday against the Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center. Despite holding a 13-point lead earlier in the game, the Fever were overwhelmed in the final quarter as the Valkyries surged ahead with a 33-18 scoring run, ending the game 88-77 in their favor. Clark struggled offensively throughout the matchup, scoring 11 points on just 3-for-14 shooting, with seven rebounds, nine assists, and six turnovers. Notably, she missed all seven of her three-point attempts and was called for a travel violation during the decisive fourth quarter, which became a focal moment in the game.

Brandin Podziemski’s Courtside Mockery Sparks Backlash

At the heart of the postgame conversation was Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, who was seated courtside directly behind Clark. Known as a committed supporter of the Valkyries during their inaugural season, Podziemski playfully mocked Clark’s travel violation by mimicking the referee’s travel signal, a gesture that quickly attracted attention. This behavior provoked strong reactions from Clark’s fans, who voiced their displeasure at his celebrations during the Fever’s struggles.

Podziemski Responds to Viral Video and Garners Praise

Podziemski soon acknowledged the viral clip with a retweet on X, engaging in lighthearted trolling of Clark after her costly turnover. Despite the heated response from Fever supporters, there were voices within the Valkyries’ camp that appreciated Podziemski’s visible support during the matchup. Valkyries player Kayla Thornton expressed gratitude for his presence at the game, recognizing his role as a passionate fan. Adding to the context, Podziemski was wearing a jersey of Kate Martin, Clark’s former teammate at Iowa, illustrating his connection to both teams.

Respect Behind the Rivalry: Podziemski’s Praise for Clark

Although some fans felt Podziemski crossed a boundary with his mockery, the guard had previously shown admiration for Clark’s talent. In a pregame interview on the Willard & Dibs show, Podziemski compared Clark favorably to Warriors star Steph Curry, highlighting her shooting threat and unpredictable moves on the court:

“[Clark is] very similar [to Curry]. The threat of them shooting is always in the back of your brain, so any head fake or hesi they give you, you tend to bite at that. You’re antsy guarding them.” —Brandin Podziemski, Warriors guard

Thursday’s matchup marked Clark’s first appearance at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Fever are scheduled to return to the city on August 31, giving Clark another chance to leave a strong impression on Valkyries territory.