"This is a joke": Fans explode with wild reactions after Caitlin Clark named in All-WNBA second team by ESPN

Fans erupted on social media after Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark landed in the Second Team All-NBA squad in the latest poll among ESPN journalists. It comes as the former Iowa standout has willed her way into MVP consideration with her steady play of late.

In viral posts on X, formerly Twitter, Clark's name was nowhere to be found in the First Team All-NBA list as voted by ESPN journalists Kevin Pelton, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel.

The First Team has A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Napheesa Collier (Minnesota), Breanna Stewart (New York), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut) and Sabrina Ionescu (New York). Caitlin Clark, meanwhile, leads the Second Team, joined by Jonquel Jones (New York), Kayla McBride (Minnesota), Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas).

Fans aggressively reacted to the voting results, and below are what some of them wrote on X:

One fan took the voting to task, highlighting how Clark is prominently ahead in the MVP odds over some of the players in the First Team, particularly Ionescu, writing:

"This is a joke. If SAB is having such a great year, why is she 4x below Clark in current Vegas League MVP odds?"

Another fan was in disbelief that the "best" point guard in the league right now is outside of the First Team, saying:

"Respectfully bullshit. The clear best point guard in the WNBA is not second team. Dumbassess."

"'Second team? How insulting is this!!!?? Clark IS the WNBA,' still another insulted fan moved to underscore"

"'Notice how they stacked the 1st team with 3 forwards, just to keep CC off? And, in no way is SAB above her,' one user intriguingly offered to explain."

Some comments, meanwhile, brought forth their respective cases for Caitlin Clark to be part of the First Team.

"'The whole idea that we should 'just be happy she's even considered for 2nd team' is ridiculous. It's not a popularity contest, it's based on merit. Just because she's a rookie, doesn't mean she should settle for less when there have been prior rookies who also made 1st team,' one user strongly proffered."

"'Clarks third for mvp how she not 1st team," a perplexed fan chimed in.

Then some expressed belief that Caitlin Clark would end up in the First Team when everything is said and done.

"Clark moves into First Team by end of the season. Book it," one confidently wrote.

"'Caitlin will earn her way onto the first team,' still another said."

In the ongoing season, Caitlin Clark has been steady for 18 points, 8.2 assists (league-high), 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 30 games so far. More importantly, she has helped the Fever stay in the mix for a playoff spot, currently at seventh with a 14-16 record.

Caitlin Clark says she is fine following injury scare

Caitlin Clark said she was fine after tweaking her ankle in their 84-79 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Monday.

The Fever rookie got hurt after getting entangled with Dream player Nia Coffey late in the opening quarter. The Iowa Hawkeye legend was sprawled on the floor for a couple of minutes before walking off on her own power. She eventually returned to the game in the second quarter.

Clark spoke about what happened to her after the game:

"It wasn't bad of a turn, but it hurt. So sometimes you just need to give yourself a second. If you're ever turned your ankle, it just kind of stings for a little bit, so I was good."

Clark finished the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block. The Fever next play on Wednesday against the Connecticut Sun.