After joining in on the internet’s crucifixion of Caitlin Clark over her heated verbal exchange with Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, Cheryl Miller is now walking back her criticism.
Clark was heavily criticized for her behavior during Fever’s shambolic 100-84 defeat at the hands of the Portland Fire. The 24-year-old was slammed for her negative body language, and several analysts analyzing the game, including USC legend Cheryl Miller, were disappointed by Clark’s reaction. Miller described Clark’s behavior as “disruptive,” suggesting the issue had spilled over into the locker room.
Here’s the full statement:
“Right now, it’s frustration. And unfortunately, it’s boiling over, and it’s being seen. It’s one thing to have it behind closed doors, but when it spills over, and when the coach has to basically say, ‘You know what, Caitlin, enough is enough. This is too disruptive. In and out, take a seat.’”
Miller’s comments were met with plenty of backlash from Clark and Fever fans. Clark also went on to explain her actions, saying the spat between the two was nothing more than “two people being competitive.”
She also called out the media for spreading false narratives, saying:
“There’s a lot of people out there in the media or on TV that think they know a lot of things, and they’re just blatantly wrong about a lot of things. I ride for Steph. I ride for these girls. Steph has my back more than anybody.”
But a few hours after Caitlin Clark’s comments, Miller appeared to have had time to reflect and struck a far more balanced tone.
“I agree with Caitlin on what she said,” Miller said on WNBA Showtime on Peacock on Tuesday. “And you know what? I’ve got to say one thing about Caitlin. I sometimes have to remember that she is young. And the amount of pressure that is on this young lady, and she’s coming back from her injuries and living up to what everybody expects her to be and do and whatnot, can be a little bit overwhelming. So I’m gonna give her some grace, and she’s right about one thing. I know I’ve been in situations like that before. It’s never played out publicly like this was, but I can understand where she’s coming from.”
Caitlin Clark Aims to Snap Skid Against Angel Reese and Atlanta Dream
Caitlin Clark has shown her quality this season, but she has struggled to influence results over the last two games. She scored 16 points on 3-of-12 shooting in a 90-88 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. She then posted a career-worst six points on 1-of-7 shooting against the Fire.
Nevertheless, the 2024 Rookie of the Year remains the Fever’s leader in several key categories. She is second on the team in scoring at 20.1 points per game, first in assists at 8.1 per game, first in steals at 1.3 per game and first in blocks at 0.9 per game.
Now, Clark and the Fever head back home looking to bounce back after losing two straight games for the first time this season, with Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream coming to town in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. Atlanta has won three of its last four games. It will be interesting to see how Clark responds to this mini slump.
Read More:
Indiana Fever’s locker room reaction to explosive Caitlin Clark-Stephanie White outburst emerges
Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence About Viral Heated Exchange With Stephanie White
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