With Caitlin Clark sidelined due to injury, FOX Sports’ Joy Taylor is setting the record straight: the WNBA doesn’t revolve around one name. In a viral segment, Taylor declared that stars like Angel Reese and Brittney Griner are carrying the torch, keeping the league vibrant and evolving. As ticket prices dip without Clark, Taylor’s bold message has sparked debate—does the WNBA need Clark to thrive, or is this a golden opportunity to showcase its depth of talent? One thing is certain: the spotlight hasn’t dimmed—it’s just widened.

Joy Taylor Defends Angel Reese as WNBA Faces Spotlight Shift Without Caitlin Clark: “It’s Not Just One Girl”

While Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark recovers from a quad strain, sidelining her for multiple games, the WNBA spotlight has begun to shift. But according to FOX Sports host Joy Taylor, that spotlight doesn’t dim when Clark is off the court—it simply redirects. In a pointed statement that’s generating major buzz across social media and sports talk circles, Taylor made it clear: Angel Reese and Brittney Griner aren’t just filling the gap—they’re helping redefine the league’s future.

“It’s not just one girl putting the WNBA on the map,” Taylor said during a segment this week. “It’s women like Angel Reese and Brittney Griner taking this league to the next level and beyond. Caitlin Clark is part of that—but not the only reason.”

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The absence of Caitlin Clark—arguably the league’s most visible rookie and a breakout marketing force—has left a noticeable vacuum in terms of ticket sales and viewership. Since the announcement of her two-week injury absence, prices for Fever games have plummeted. Some arena tickets that once sold for over $200 have dropped to less than $30.

Yet despite that measurable dip, Joy Taylor argues that the WNBA doesn’t hinge on one name. Her comments came during a spirited discussion on Speak and have since been amplified online, striking a nerve with fans on both sides of the Caitlin Clark phenomenon.

“Carrying the Torch” – Reese and Griner Step Up

Taylor’s comments came on the heels of a standout performance by Angel Reese, who has continued to draw significant media attention and fan engagement—even when the stat lines don’t show MVP numbers. With Caitlin Clark on the bench, it’s been players like Reese, Brittney Griner, Arike Ogunbowale, and A’ja Wilson carrying the competitive narrative.

From a branding perspective, Reese leads the league in social media engagement, with nearly 5 million Instagram followers and counting. She’s been praised for her confidence, style, and charisma—qualities that translate to ticket sales and media buzz, even in tough losses.

“Angel’s brand is bigger than basketball,” one marketing executive recently told USA Today. “Her influence on Gen Z and college holdovers is unique, and her off-court presence is keeping eyes on the WNBA in ways we haven’t seen before.”

Griner, meanwhile, remains a central figure in the league’s push for visibility and global credibility. After her 2022 detention in Russia and subsequent return to the U.S., she’s become both a symbol and a powerhouse on the court—bringing international headlines and advocacy energy to the league in ways that transcend sports.

Why Joy Taylor’s Comments Matter Now

Joy Taylor has never been one to bite her tongue. As one of the most prominent female voices in sports media, her perspectives are often seen as a barometer for larger shifts in the sports discourse. By stepping up now and defending the league’s collective strength rather than its dependency on one star, Taylor reframes the narrative around what the WNBA’s future should look like.

Her comments resonate at a moment when women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented growth—but also facing the growing pains that come with newfound popularity. Some fans argue that Caitlin Clark is the reason for the league’s recent visibility spike. Others, like Taylor, insist the movement was already building and Clark is simply one part of a broader rise.

The WNBA’s Identity Test

As Clark heals and prepares for a return expected in mid-June, the question looming over the league isn’t just when she’ll be back—it’s whether the momentum can survive without her. Taylor believes the answer is a resounding yes.

“It’s women like Angel Reese and Brittney Griner,” she reiterated, “who are proving that this league has layers, not just a singular headline.”

This moment may prove to be a turning point—not just for Clark’s career, but for how the WNBA defines its stars, tells its stories, and builds long-term growth that isn’t dependent on one breakout rookie.

More Than a Moment—A Movement

Injuries are inevitable. Stardom, at times, is fleeting. But if the WNBA’s recent wave of fan engagement proves anything, it’s that there is no shortage of women ready to lead. Angel Reese, with her unapologetic confidence and viral charisma, is at the center of that conversation now. So is Brittney Griner, whose resilience and presence are unmatched. And when Caitlin Clark returns, she won’t just be stepping back into a league that missed her—she’ll be rejoining a league that refused to pause in her absence.

As Joy Taylor put it: “Caitlin is part of it—but she’s not the only reason.”

And that, perhaps, is the most important message of all.