A screenshot has WNBA fans asking: did a player endorse a threat towards Caitlin Clark?

The WNBA has finally caught people’s attention.

Now, some of his players appear to be learning what that attention brings.

Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes, also known as Tip Hayes, caused a stir on social media by interacting with fans criticizing the league’s most famous player, Caitlin Clark. Hayes even appeared to laugh at a fan’s comment implying a potential threat to Clark.

This all stems from a heated on-field argument between Clark and Hayes during Friday night’s game (and subsequent post-game comments).

Clark returned from a one-game absence due to a back injury and helped the Fever defeat the Valkyries 90-82. He finished the game with 22 points and 9 assists for Golden State, while Hayes came off the bench and scored 19 points.

In the third quarter, with Hayes defending, Clark hit a deep 3-pointer from the logo. After the shot, Clark appeared to say something, and as the two exchanged words, Hayes responded.

This alone is not a major problem. Trash talk is common in sports and is part of the game. Clark is certainly no stranger to trying to get into his opponents’ heads, both with his play and his chirps.

However, this situation did not end on the field.

Hayes was later caught on a hot mic before reaching the media postgame, saying: “They’re never going to start calling fouls on him. If they did, he’d never be able to play in the games.”

It wasn’t clear for certain whether Hayes was referring to Clark, but given the context of the game and the online reaction to their conversation, many fans took it that way.

Then came Hayes’ social media activity.

Screenshots circulating online show Hayes interacting with fans on Threads after the game. In one exchange, one fan wrote: “I talk like this because you’re on my team… but I was READY, rooting for your collapse.”

“Hahaha that’s fair,” Hayes replied.

Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark exchange words after Clark hit a three-pointer in the second half of a WNBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire)

Another fan wrote: “Your coolness was way better than mine, let me tell you that!”

Hayes responded: “My growth is a gift and a curse, but mostly it’s a gift.”

Then came the post that attracted the most attention to Clark fans.

One fan wrote: “Listen. I have some cousins ​​we don’t talk about and they will be riding at dawn on request. Just let me know.”

“😂 this is real,” Hayes replied.

Clearly, Hayes did not directly threaten Clark. The fan did not explicitly name Clark in the post. However, it seems more likely that the trade involves the Fever’s star player. It seems like a portion of WNBA fans really don’t like Caitlin Clark, despite everything she’s done to make the league interesting.

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So will the league take action against Hayes, or at least investigate the behavior?

The WNBA has publicly stated that it takes these issues seriously. League in May 2025 started its “No Room for Hate” platform, which it describes as an effort to “combat hate and promote respect in all WNBA venues,” including online discourse and in-arena behavior. The league said the initiative includes advanced technological features, increased security measures, mental health resources and league-wide messaging to detect hateful comments online.

The league has also shown that it can act quickly when allegations are made. Following a May 2025 game between the Fever and Chicago Sky, the WNBA investigated allegations of racist fan behavior toward Angel Reese near the court. The league later said it gathered information from fans, team and field staff and reviewed audio and video before making a decision. Allegations could not be proven.

After Connecticut Sun players from the previous season He spoke publicly about allegedly racist comments Following a spate of threatening messages and messages during the Fever-Sun playoff series, the WNBA issued a statement saying “racist, derogatory or threatening comments” made about players, teams or anyone affiliated with the league would not be tolerated.

So if the WNBA is going to make “No Place for Hate” a central part of its public message, it shouldn’t be hard to ask whether that standard applies here as well.

OutKick reached out to the WNBA to ask whether the league is aware of Hayes’ social media activity, whether it plans to review or investigate the posts, and whether its social media policy applies to players’ interactions with fans in such cases. The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Golden State’s Tiffany Hayes has come under scrutiny for social media activities that encourage fan posts targeting WNBA star Caitlin Clark. (Getty Images)

The WNBA benefited greatly from Clark’s fame. It drives up ratings, sells tickets and jerseys, and creates national conversation. It brought mainstream attention to a league that had been begging for people’s attention for years.

But this attention also means that players’ actions will be scrutinized in ways they haven’t been before.

The WNBA can’t have it both ways. He can’t cash in on the attention Clark gives him, and he can’t shrug his shoulders when players appear to be encouraging him or laughing along with reckless comments about him.

The WNBA wanted to be in the spotlight. Now he has it.

Some of your players might want to start acting like they know people are watching. Or maybe people are just pretending to be watching and that’s the kind of message they want to spread.