In a league where precision and focus define success, sometimes even the best get hit with a curveball—or in Caitlin Clark’s case, a basketball squarely to the face. Ouch, right? But let’s rewind: this isn’t your average “oops” moment. This is Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever star, and she just turned what could have been an embarrassing viral photo into a moment of pure social media gold.
Fresh off securing her third straight Eastern Conference Player of the Week award (yawn, it’s getting too easy for her), Clark decided to hit back at the trolls in the most Caitlin Clark way possible: with a sharp, hilarious retort. And the internet is loving every second of it.
Face Meets Ball, Trolls Meet Clark
On September 10, the internet exploded—not because Clark dropped 25 points, 10 assists, and almost 8 rebounds per game (although, you know, she did), but because of a very candid, very unflattering shot of her mid-game. The culprit behind the viral photo? None other than Bri Lewerke, the sports photographer who’s been with Clark since her Iowa days. Think of her as the paparazzi to Clark’s Diana—except instead of royalty, we’ve got the queen of the hardwood.
In the now-infamous shot, a basketball collides head-on with Clark’s face in what can only be described as the least glamorous angle imaginable. Imagine those super slow-mo replays where you see every muscle contorting in shock? Yeah, that’s the one. You’d think most athletes would go into full damage control mode, but not Clark. Oh no. She saw the post, which was full of congratulations for her latest award, and responded with one sharp word: “Troll.”
Takes One to Know One
Of course, Lewerke wasn’t about to let Clark have the last word. The photographer quickly replied with, “Takes one to know one.” And just like that, the internet got what it didn’t know it needed—an epic, playful roast session between two friends, both unafraid to take a hit (literally) and still laugh about it.
Fans, naturally, ate it up, with comments piling in faster than Clark’s stat line fills up after a game. “The ball may have hit your face, but it was a slam dunk response,” one user quipped. Another wrote, “Not even the ball can stop her…well, kinda.”
The banter between Clark and Lewerke was all in good fun, but if you weren’t familiar with their long-standing friendship, you might’ve thought this was some next-level shade. Spoiler: it wasn’t. The two have been tight since Clark’s Iowa days, and Lewerke’s been there to document all of Clark’s iconic (and apparently not-so-iconic) moments. Now in the pros, their friendship has only grown stronger—strong enough to survive even the most unflattering angles.
Ballin’ and Trolling: The Caitlin Clark Way
As fun as this troll-fest was, don’t be fooled. Caitlin Clark is a serious baller. While social media might be buzzing about the ball-to-face moment, her on-court performance is nothing to laugh at (unless you’re an opponent, in which case, go ahead and cry). She’s been tearing through the WNBA like a tornado, leading the Fever to a 2-1 record while collecting yet another Player of the Week honor, her third consecutive, mind you.
If averaging 25 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds wasn’t enough, she’s also proving she’s got more than just elite playmaking skills—she’s got elite humor, too. And for those keeping score at home, her ability to dominate both on and off the court has fans and commentators alike throwing around words like “unstoppable” and “legendary” with reckless abandon.
A Viral Moment for the Ages
Let’s be real: the ball-to-face photo was a gift to the internet. It’s the kind of moment that unites sports fans, meme lovers, and trolls everywhere. And while we’re all here laughing, Clark’s out there collecting accolades like it’s just another Tuesday. This viral moment isn’t just about a basketball hitting Clark’s face—it’s about how she continues to roll with the punches (and balls) and still come out on top.
Whether it’s dominating on the court or trading jabs with her photographer friend, Caitlin Clark knows how to keep the world entertained. And if you thought a ball to the face would slow her down? Well, guess again. Because if history’s taught us anything, it’s that you can throw anything at Caitlin Clark—even a basketball—and she’ll still end up on top, laughing all the way to the Player of the Week podium.
And hey, if you’re not watching her now, what are you even doing? Whether she’s trolling friends or breaking ankles on the court, Caitlin Clark is the show everyone wants to see.
