Skip Bayless Calls Out Caitlin Clark After Loss to the Dream
Caitlin Clark has emerged as one of the most polarizing figures in sports. The Indiana Fever guard is the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, following an impressive career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she led the team to two national championship game appearances.
After being selected first overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, she had a solid rookie season, averaging 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game. This year, she is off to a strong start, averaging 23.5 points, 10.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Advertisement
The Fever has a 1-1 record at the start of the season, but it was the team's most recent game that caught the attention of former Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless. Bayless has had a successful media career and is known as the "Godfather" of sports debate shows; he was a foundational figure on ESPN's "First Take" before leaving to join Fox and host "Undisputed" before leaving Fox late last year.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after scoring a 3-pointer against Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10).© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Now, Bayless primarily shares his opinions through tweets or posts videos on YouTube. He did this on Tuesday when the Fever lost to the Atlanta Dream with a score of 91-90. The Dream took the lead with nine seconds remaining after Kelsey Mitchell fouled Rhyne Howard, who then made both free throws to give the Dream a 91-90 advantage.
During the Fever's next possession, Clark was the inbounder and lobbed the ball to Natasha Howard. However, Howard's shot was blocked by Nia Coffey. Howard managed to grab her own rebound and attempted a 12-foot shot to win the game, but she missed. Coffey secured the rebound, sealing the victory for the Dream.
Advertisement
Bayless took to X to express his frustration about the play, stating in all caps, "Caitlin Clark has to take the last shot for Indiana when it's down one with nine seconds left. She did not. Fever lost at home to Atlanta."
Bayless has built his career on critiquing players in "clutch situations." Most notably, he has criticized LeBron James for lacking a "clutch gene," arguing that he avoids those crucial moments. Bayless firmly believes that the best player should take the shot almost every time in those situations.
Bayless' criticism could also be directed at the coaching staff. While Clark is an excellent passer, as evidenced by her average of double-digit assists, the play did not seem to be designed for her to do anything other than pass the ball. Although the outcome of this game was not favorable, it may serve as a valuable learning experience for Clark and her team as they move forward.
Related: Fans Cannot Believe Unexpected Caitlin Clark, Stephen Curry News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wings' Paige Bueckers makes WNBA history with performance vs. Fever
The post Wings' Paige Bueckers makes WNBA history with performance vs. Fever appeared first on ClutchPoints. Paige Bueckers made incredible WNBA history during Friday's matchup between the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever. Advertisement In 36 minutes of action, Bueckers lit up the nets against the Fever's defense. She put up a stat line of 27 points, six assists, two steals, two blocks, and a rebound. She shot 9-of-18 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Her efforts helped her set a new WNBA record, per Polymarket Hoops. She became the first player to have a stat line of 25 or more points, five or more assists, two or more steals, two or more blocks, and zero turnovers. How Paige Bueckers, Wings played against Fever Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Despite Paige Bueckers' historic night, it wasn't enough as the Wings suffered a 94-86 loss to the Fever at home. Advertisement Despite missing Caitlin Clark due to injury, the Fever jumped out to a 33-13 lead and never looked back. Even though the Wings cut the deficit to single digits as time went on, they were unable to recover from their slow start. Indiana was highly effective with its shot selection, making 59.3% of their total attempts. This is in significant contrast to the 42.6% shot accuracy from Dallas' end. Rebounding also played a role as the Fever beat the Wings 32-23 in that area. Three players scored in double-digits on Dallas' behalf, including Bueckers. Arike Ogunbowale finished with 15 points, a rebound, an assist, a steal, and a block. She shot 5-of-12 overall, including 1-of-4 from downtown, and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Aziaha James came next with 14 points and two assists, Myisha Hines-Allen had nine points and three assists, while NaLyssa Smith and Li Yueru provided seven points each. Dallas fell to a 4-13 record on the season, remaining at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They are 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Sparks and four games behind the Las Vegas Aces. The Wings will look to bounce back in their next matchup, remaining at home. They host the Washington Mystics on June 28 at 8 p.m. ET. Related: Wings' Paige Bueckers reveals how Kyrie Irving inspired 'unguardable' motivation Related: Paige Bueckers reacts to Caitlin Clark missing Fever-Wings game with injury
NBC Sports
37 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Fever start fast without Caitlin Clark, hang on for 94-86 win over Wings and Paige Bueckers
DALLAS — Kelsey Mitchell scored 32 points, and the Indiana Fever held on without the injured Caitlin Clark, taking a 22-point lead in the first quarter before finishing off a 94-86 victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday night. Clark's left groin injury spoiled what was supposed to be the first meeting of the past two No. 1 picks in the WNBA draft. The game was the first at the home of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks for the Wings, who took Paige Bueckers first overall this year. The Wings, who are planning a move to downtown Dallas in the next couple of years, have played about 20 miles away on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington since moving to the area nine years ago. Bueckers sparked a rally by beating the first-half buzzer with a long 3-pointer after a steal and finished with 27 points despite a cold start from the field. The Wings took a lead in the fourth quarter after trailing by 23 in the first half, but couldn't overcome 26% shooting in the first 10 minutes. Arike Ogunbowale scored 15 for Dallas. Aliyah Boston scored 21 points and Natasha Howard had 15 points and 13 rebounds and three steals for the Fever, who made all 11 of their shots from inside the 3-point arc in the first quarter and shot 59% for the game. The absence of Clark, who missed a second consecutive game after sitting out five earlier this season with a quadriceps injury, didn't keep the crowd or the pro sports stars away. The 20,000-seat American Airlines Center was nearly full, and among the fans were nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving of the Mavericks, star pass rusher Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Cooper Flagg. The 18-year-old Flagg was drafted No. 1 overall out of Duke by the Mavericks on Wednesday, a little more than two months after the Wings selected Bueckers. Flagg, who got a loud ovation when he was shown on the video board in the third quarter, was introduced to the Dallas media earlier Friday. Cade Cunningham, a Dallas-area resident and the No. 1 overall choice by the Detroit Pistons four years ago, sat near Parsons. Even with all the star power, there were plenty of Clark — and Fever — backers in the crowd, delighted by the quick start with the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year on the bench in street clothes. The Wings took their only lead at 80-79 on JJ Quinerly's three-point play midway through the fourth quarter. Aari McDonald started a clinching 9-0 run for the Fever with a bucket that broke an 82-82 tie.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
DeWanna Bonner has ‘no interest' in playing for Fever
The post DeWanna Bonner has 'no interest' in playing for Fever appeared first on ClutchPoints. After initially being one of the biggest acquisitions the Indiana Fever made in the offseason, reports indicate that guard DeWanna Bonner no longer wants to play for the team. Two teams have emerged as preferable trade destinations for the two-time WNBA champion. Advertisement The two teams in question are the Phoenix Mercury and the Atlanta Dream, according to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports. DeWanna Bonner's agent had no comments about the 37-year-old guard's relationship with the Fever. 'DeWanna Bonner's days with the Indiana Fever could be coming to an end. According to multiple league sources, the two-time WNBA champion has no interest in returning to play for the Fever. Those same sources indicated Bonner's preferred landing spots are with the Phoenix Mercury or the Atlanta Dream. Bonner's agent, Mike Cound, had no comment regarding his client's standing with the Fever.' The potential trade request stems from the Fever benching DeWanna Bonner to play Lexi Hull in the starting lineup. Indiana eventually ruled Bonner out for 'personal reasons' after playing her in a rotational role for six games. Costabile also reports that the relationship between Bonner and the Fever just wasn't on par from early on. 'Bonner started three games for the Fever to open the season before she was benched in favor of shooting guard Lexie Hull. After six games coming off the bench, Bonner was ruled out by the Fever due to 'personal reasons'… Multiple sources told Front Office Sports that the fit in Indiana was 'off' from the beginning. Bonner—who was signed to be an anchor with championship experience for the team's young core—was expected to be a starter.' Advertisement DeWanna Bonner played in nine games for the Fever this season. In those contests, she averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while owning a 34.5% field goal percentage and going 36.0% from beyond the arc. Related: Tamika Catchings' heartfelt message to Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton after NBA Finals loss Related: How Fever-Aces game made ESPN history
