- WNBA. Sheryl Swoopes' new attack on Caitlin Clark is met with blunt response from former NBA player
- WNBA. Sheryl Swoopes reopens war on Caitlin Clark ahead of playoffs: Her numbers are not dominant
Big stars are always going to be criticized by someone. No matter how many accomplishments they have, they're never going to meet with everyone's approval. One such star is Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever rookie sensation and the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history. Since her arrival in the pros, Clark has faced dozens of criticisms for various reasons, many of them unfounded.
One of the most critical people towards her is WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, who at times seems to have something personal against Clark, who has been criticizing her all season long and has even said that Caitlin's numbers are not dominant, let alone all the records she has set in her rookie season.
The Indiana Fever are riding high after making it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but their journey hit a bump during Round 1 against the Connecticut Sun, who handed them a tough 93-69 defeat. With the stakes so high, the team might be back in the film room analyzing what went wrong. Swoopes offered some valuable insights on the Fever's performance during her recent appearance on the Queens of the Court podcast.
Swoopes pointed out that the Fever, a relatively young team, faced a steep learning curve in the playoffs. "Listen, playoffs are different. They're young and haven't been here before," she noted, highlighting Aliyah Boston's bright performance with 17 points and 11 rebounds. "You got one game under your belt; you go back, you watch film." The Fever's average starting age is just 24, with rookies Caitlin Clark and Boston both only 22, making them the youngest players on the court.
Can the Indiana Fever bounce back after Game 1 loss?
Despite the loss, Swoopes believes the Fever still have potential. She praised the Connecticut Sun, particularly Alyssa Thomas, for their playoff experience, reminding listeners, "I think Connecticut again played really well, but they have to not to get too comfortable." She cited the Sun's previous playoff struggles, urging them to remain focused and prepare for the games.
Reflecting on the game, Swoopes noted that the Fever started strong, trailing by just eight points at halftime. However, the Sun took control in the second half, outscoring them 25-12 in the fourth quarter, largely thanks to Marina Mabrey. "The Fever will show up for Game 2," Swoopes confidently stated, emphasizing the need for them to concentrate on their strengths.
Caitlin Clark faced her own challenges during the game, including an eye injury from a poke by Sun guard DiJonai Carrington. Despite concerns about her performance, Clark dismissed claims that the injury affected her play, saying, "I battled and tried my best." With Swoopes' encouragement, the Fever are looking to regroup and make a statement in Game 2. Indiana fans are hoping their team can harness this opportunity and bring playoff action back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse after eight long years.