Basketball legend Nancy Lieberman has weighed in with some strong words in the wake of a heated exchange during a game Saturday between Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter. Lieberman, known for her no-nonsense attitude, made her views clear during a recent interview.
“If I were Caitlin Clark, I would have punched her in the face,” Lieberman said. “I’m from New York and I would have told her to f*** off. That would actually cure the problem because I’ve known Chennedy since she was in high school here in Dallas. She’s a tough kid, she’s a really good basketball player. She’s gonna come after you because she’s very physical, which is okay, but man, where is Caitlin Clark’s teammates,” Lieberman said on Run It Back, via ClutchPoints. “I’d be pissed as s*** at my teammates if nobody came to my defense.”
The incident in question occurred during the Fever’s narrow 71-70 victory over the Sky last Saturday. Tensions flared on the court when Carter, after hitting a three-pointer, shoulder-checked Clark from behind as Indiana inbounded the ball, resulting in a free throw for Clark. Video footage shows that prior to the shoulder check, Clark had jawed at Carter and given her a slight shove after a Fever bucket.
After the game, Carter refused to answer any questions about the incident, telling New York Post reporter Dylan Svoboda, “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions. I don’t know what she said. I didn’t say anything.”
Clark, for her part, downplayed the altercation.
“Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play,” Clark said. “But you know I’ve gotta play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level. I thought we’ve been really physical, we’ve missed some bunnies around the rim, so hopefully those fall in the fourth.”
She continued, “I wasn’t expecting it. It is what it is. It’s a physical game. Go make the free throw and execute on offense and I feel like that’s kind of what we did.”
Nancy Lieberman thinks Caitlin Clark needs more support from Fever teammates
Lieberman, however, believes Clark needs more support from her teammates.
“Honestly, it’s just bulls***. Somebody has to come to this kid’s— I don’t wanna say rescue … In 1984, when Michael Jordan came into the league, he changed the economics of the league … People need to thank Caitlin Clark for being that generational athlete that is making them wealthy,” Lieberman said. “I know the W has worked hard over the last 27, 28 years, but they weren’t doing this with all the greats, all the hall-of-famers. But Caitlin has caught the interest of the common person, both women, men, and children. We need to celebrate her, not tolerate her.”
Lieberman's comments highlight the broader issue of player protection and support in professional sports. Comparing Clark to Michael Jordan, Lieberman emphasized the importance of having teammates who are ready to stand up and protect their star players.
“Gretzky had an enforcer,” she said, stressing the need for a similar role on the Fever to ensure that generational talents like Clark can thrive without unnecessary aggression.
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