No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

How Caitlin Clark’s Career Became About More Than Just Basketball + Game 1 Reactions

No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Show Notes

She’s a full-fledged celebrity. A cultural phenomenon. And a mirror to society through sports. Everyone– from journalists to fans to political pundits– have an opinion on who Caitlin Clark is and what is expected of her. But, has anyone actually asked Clark herself? In this episode, Chantel welcomes senior writer Brian Hamilton to discuss his piece, “Can the WNBA’s biggest star just play basketball? Let’s ask Caitlin Clark.” The pair unpacks Clark’s role in advocacy, outside pressure placed on her, and what her day-to-day life actually looks like. But first: Zena, Sabreena, and Chantel break down all the action from Sunday’s four playoff matchups. From A’Ja Wilson’s historic performance to veterans stepping up for several squads, the crew provides their analysis on each opening contest and what to expect in the final games of round one.

REFERENCES: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7626435/2026/09/25/caitlin-clark-profile-wnba-basketball-gardening/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7633515/2026/09/27/aja-wilson-vegas-aces-wnba-playoffs/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7632770/2026/09/27/wnba-playoffs-results-takeaways-scores-first-round/ __

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: [email protected]

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason IG: @tanooffseason TikTok: @no_offseason Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Oct 22, 2026

The Atlanta Dream take a 2–1 lead in the WNBA Finals after a dominant Game 3 win over the Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena. Zena and Sabreena break down Atlanta’s statement performance, the key moments that swung the game, and what the Valkyries need to do to bounce back with the series on the line. With the Dream gaining momentum, can Golden State respond in Game 4?

Oct 20, 2026

The Atlanta Dream strikes back! After dropping Game 1, Atlanta wins Game 2 on the road to even the WNBA Finals at 1-1. Zena and Annie break down what went wrong for the Golden State Valkyries, how the Dream built momentum, and the key adjustments that helped Atlanta bounce back. With the series now tied and shifting to Atlanta, what can each team take away from Game 2 heading into a pivotal Game 3?

Oct 18, 2026

Game 1 goes to the Golden State Valkyries! Zena and Sabreena break down the series opener, share their reactions, and analyze what worked for both teams, where they fell short, and what each side can take away heading into Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

Oct 16, 2026

The WNBA Finals are here, and the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries are ready for a championship showdown! Chantel, Annie and Sabreena preview the Finals series between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, breaking down the biggest storylines, including the Dream’s move to State Farm Arena, Angel Reese’s impact, and how these two teams have forged their own paths to success. Which team has the edge? The crew breaks down the key matchups that could decide the series, from the battle in the paint and on the boards to defensive strategies, controlling the pace, and the coaching chess match. Plus, they spotlight the players to watch and share their predictions for who will be crowned WNBA champions. Plus, the crew gets into the Halloween spirit by revealing their costumes ahead of Halloween!

Oct 15, 2026

The WNBA playoffs have delivered some surprises, but what do the early exits of the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty mean for their futures? Annie is joined by Rachel DeMita, host of Courtside Club, to break down the biggest postseason storylines and what comes next for two teams with championship aspirations. Then, they turn to the Indiana Fever and the critical offseason decisions ahead: How should Indiana build around its core, what does Kelsey Mitchell’s future look like, and what must the franchise prioritize to take the next step? Finally, they look ahead to the WNBA Finals matchup between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, breaking down the key players and strategies that could decide who wins it all. __

See all episodes →