Stephen A. Smith Knows Why WNBA Players 'Resent' Caitlin Clark
Last night's chippiness in the Fever-Sun game received national attention in and around the basketball world. But Stephen A. Smith doesn't believe it's one-sided.
Tuesday night's Commissioner's Cup matchup saw WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark poked in the eye and shoved to the floor midway through the third quarter of Indiana's 17-point victory in a game that was testy throughout.
And while many have taken aim at Connecticut's players and their coach, Stephen A. points out that Caitlin hasn't minded playing the role of instigator throughout her career.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 18, 2025"There's also resentment towards her because she instigates resentment towards her... The whole Angel Reese thing with her started because when Caitlin [Clark] was giving it to everybody else, she was the one waving her in their face."
—Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/ufQ3gike3j
"Clearly, when it comes to Caitlin Clark, there's some resentment, as I've articulated before. What people are missing ... is that I have no problem with it whatsoever," Smith said on Wednesday's "First Take."
"Yes, there's resentment... this is much ado about nothing! In the heat of competition, tempers flare! Last time I checked, women got tempers just like men do. It ain't a problem! It ain't a problem at all! It ain't no big deal at all! I love it, personally."
"Caitlin Clark being that golden goose, that rising tide that's lifting all boats, I stand by my past proclamations that there's resentment towards her because of that. But I want to take it a step further: There's also resentment towards her because she instigates resentment towards her sometimes. ... The whole Angel Reese thing with her started because when Caitlin [Clark] was giving it to everybody else, she was the one waving her in their face."
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 17: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball while being guarded by Jacy Sheldon #4 of the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Not everyone agrees with Stephen A.'s assessment — as evidenced by some people calling for Connecticut's Marina Mabrey to be "banned."
But at the end of the day, these are women athletes competing at the highest level. And much like it's happened in many other eras of basketball, when you can't do anything else to stop you a player you try getting physical.
The Sun clearly crossed a line and were penalized for it. And Caitlin kept draining threes while giving them their ninth L of the season.
