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Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry has some simple advice for Caitlin Clark: Fight back.
Horry, 55, was asked about the criticism the Indiana Fever star has received for complaining to the umpires, and Horry said Clark needs to protect himself.
“You think about when you, when you’re the best, everybody wants to knock you out. And I think a lot of people go after her and for me, just play the game,” Horry told Pakinomist Digital at the World Cup 2026 Kickoff Party Blue Carpet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark waits for play to resume during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California on May 28, 2026. (David Gonzales/Imagn Images)
“Some other players in the league didn’t protect themselves and (the harassment) continued, so my best advice (to) her is protect yourself. Don’t let anybody try to punk you.”
Horry played with Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and cited him as an example of a player who fought back.
“I think I (played) with one of the biggest players (in) Shaquille O’Neal, he got hammered. I know he’s bigger and stronger than Caitlin, but he got to a point where he just started fighting back. You know, somebody (elbowed him), you elbow him back.”
Clark has made some tough mistakes during her three seasons in the WNBA, with many fans wondering if the treatment from her competition is intentional. The 24-year-old often pleads her case to the referees after contact, which has angered fans who say she complains too much.
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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever reacts after a foul was called in the first half against the Portland Fire at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on May 30, 2026. (Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
At least Fever fans didn’t complain when Clark buried a game-winning 3-pointer to seal a 78-76 win over the Washington Mystics on Monday. Clark had 19 points, five assists and three rebounds in the win.
The Fever have had a tumultuous start to the season, but are over .500 at 6-5. In 10 games, Clark has averaged 18.7 points, 8.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Horry played in the NBA for 16 seasons. He began his career with the Houston Rockets, spending four and a half seasons with them and being a key part of their championship winning teams in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons. The Alabama native was then traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he spent half a season before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Robert Horry and Candice Horry pose on the blue carpet for the 2026 World Cup Kickoff Party at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on June 9, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Horry was a key contributor during the Lakers’ three-peat from 1999-2001, earning his third, fourth and fifth career NBA titles. After spending seven seasons with the Lakers, Horry joined the Spurs where he won two more championships in 2004-05 and 2006-07.
In 16 seasons, Horry averaged 7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
