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ESPN star Stephen A. Smith suggested on Wednesday that Indiana Fever Star Caitlin Clark was responsible for some of the resentment of her in WNBA.
Smith and “First Take” Panelegladers Monica McNutt and Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo broke down on the three -fever -and -play -playing threefing. Clark was on the receiving end of an eye poke from Sun Guard Jacy Sheldon and was then bumped on the floor by Marina Mabrey.
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Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark, #22, celebrates after scoring a 3-pointer during a game between Indiana Fever and New York Liberty in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 14, 2025. (GRACE SMITH-PREPARED PICTURES)
Clark and Sun players spoke the trash throughout the game as tension began to rise early and eventually cooked over. Fever Guard Sophie Cunningham also entered the crisis with a tough mistake on Sheldon late in the game. Both players were pushed out.
Smith repeated his attitude that he thought there was “anger” to Clark, but said he had no problem with the madness that took place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and noticed the very competitive nature of all athletes on the field.
“Now, it’s about because I want to make sure everyone understands what I’m about to say,” Smith began. “Caitlin Clark is the ‘golden goose’ in itself, that ‘rising tides that lift all boats,’ I stand by my earlier proclamations that there is anger to her because of it. But I will take it a step further. There is also anger to her because she suggests resentment to her sometimes. Oh, Caitlin can clap at Ya now, Caitlin can counteract ya now.
Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark, #22, dribbles the ball, while Connecticut Sun Guard Jacy Sheldon, #4, defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 17, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski-Published Pictures)
Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark, #22, looks at during the second half against Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 17, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski-Published Pictures)
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“Remember, in college, all Angel Reese started things because when Caitlin gave it to everyone else, she was the one who waved in their face, which is why Angel Reese and LSU got a whole of her, Angel Reese was (waving hand in front of her face), ‘Yes, it’s your turn.’ This is where it came from.
Smith pointed out that Clark is making his reasonable proportion of the trash and can toast it as well as anyone.
Then he compared her to the Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird.
“At the top of the fact that she could play … but she’s like what Larry Bird was when Larry Bird shoots the lights out and similar things, but Larry Bird also spoke unwanted,” he said. “Dr. J was one of the best, sweetest people on the planet. People said he made house calls, helped invite NBA into America’s living room, and Dr. J swung on Larry Bird. Why? Because Larry Bird says, ‘I want to hit this jumper right here on you,’ Bam! ‘I want to beat this 3 right here,’ Bam! Sports.
Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark, #22, celebrates after a three-point basket against Connecticut Sun in the second half of a WNBA basketball match in Indianapolis on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wnba gave an extra fine to Cunningham for her commitment to the Frakians after Sheldon Foul. She received a standard fine automatic for the obvious-2 error. Mabrey’s technical error was upgraded to a flagant-2 error and she received a standard fine for it.
