Caitlin Clark finds herself at the center of debates once again regarding the impact of her star power on fellow WNBA players.
The Indiana Fever rookie had a brief on-court encounter with Storm veteran Skylar Diggins-Smith after Indiana’s 92-75 victory over Seattle on Sunday. Clark, who tallied nine assists in the game, broke the WNBA record for total assists by a rookie, reaching 225. While circling the court and waving to the cheering Indiana crowd, Clark collided with Diggins-Smith as the veteran walked toward the Seattle bench.
ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe, who has previously defended Clark in similar situations, weighed in on the incident during his and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s “Night Cap” podcast on Sunday. Sharpe described the moment as driven by jealousy.
“Shannon Sharpe has had enough of the jealousy from WNBA players and EXPLODES! MUST WATCH!!” the podcast headline read.
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) reacts in front of Seattle Storm’s Skylar Diggins-Smith (4) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Indianapolis.
“They gotta stop this foolishness,” Sharpe exclaimed after watching a replay of the interaction between 22-year-old Caitlin Clark and 34-year-old Skylar Diggins-Smith.
“Y’all see her speed up… Caitlin Clark is getting the crowd hyped, and you see Skylar Diggins speeding up to make contact with her. Stop this!
“Y’all are mad because that corn-fed Iowa girl is busting your ass. Y’all said she’s too weak. ‘She can’t do this.’ Well, she’s leading the WNBA in assists. She’s cooking. Let her cook! Let her cook!” Sharpe shouted passionately.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever celebrates in the second half of a game against the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images
Diggins-Smith was also seen exchanging words with coach Christie Sides, but the details of their conversation remain unclear.
Coach Noelle Quinn addressed the incident during her postgame press conference, describing it as a spirited discussion between the two.
During the same press conference, veteran Seattle guard Jewell Loyd sidestepped a question about Caitlin Clark. Instead, she chose to highlight the contributions of Seattle’s rookies. “I’m going to talk about our rookies,” Loyd said, before praising Nika Mühl, the Storm’s second-round pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, and Jordan Horston, selected ninth overall in the 2023 draft.
“Nika’s been great. She’s been awesome, putting in the work. And I think Jordan has been phenomenal too in her second year of growth,” Loyd added.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever is bumped by Skylar Diggins-Smith #4 of the Seattle Storm after a second half timeout at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images
“Our focus is on our team and what we need to do together to improve. The unity we have in the locker room is what makes us stronger, and that’s what matters most to us.”
After Sunday’s game, the X account @WNBAStormChaser shared, “I asked Jewell Loyd about Caitlin Clark’s growth from the start of the season until now. She wasn’t interested in discussing that and instead praised Nika Mühl and Jordan Horston.”
Clark, who scored 23 points and grabbed five rebounds, received a technical foul in the third quarter after punching the base of the basketball hoop in frustration. “I got a technical for basically being mad at myself,” Clark explained. “I missed a three-pointer, hit the backboard, and the referee told me it was ‘disrespectful to the game of basketball.'”
Clark added that the referee’s decision only fueled her determination to “play a lot harder” and thanked him for the extra motivation.
Since being selected by Indiana with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, Clark has been at the center of attention, sparking intense debates about how her star power is impacting the WNBA and its players. In June, NBA commissioner Adam Silver commented on Clark’s spotlight, emphasizing that while she needs to earn her place in the league, it’s important to let her evolve as a player.
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd bypasses a question about Caitlin Clark after the Fever beat the Storm on August 18, 2024. X
“Caitlin Clark knows she has to prove herself on the court—no one is crowned a star in this league without earning it,” said Silver during an interview on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” before the Celtics faced the Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. “I believe she’ll rise to the occasion. She has the character, drive, determination, and talent to succeed. But let’s allow her to grow as a player. I want to ease the pressure on her, not add to it.”
Clark became a sensation at Iowa, dazzling fans with her sharp shooting and elite passing skills, leading the Hawkeyes to consecutive NCAA championship game appearances in 2023 and 2024, where they fell short against LSU and South Carolina, respectively.
Her influence has been pivotal in the surge of women’s college basketball, and her entry into the WNBA has significantly boosted the league’s revenue and attendance. The Indiana Fever, who drafted Clark, have seen remarkable growth in social media engagement, revenue, and game attendance.
A Gatorade athlete with a NIL valuation of $3.4 million, Clark also boasts endorsement deals with brands like Wilson and State Farm, among many others.
