Caitlin Clark made her national television debut Sunday night as a special contributor for NBC, as the New York Knicks hosted — and defeated — LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers, generating plenty of headlines along the way.
One moment that stood out came when fellow Indiana basketball legend Reggie Miller offered his NBA comparison for the Indiana Fever star, likening her to Boston Celtics reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard.
“I like Payton Pritchard from Boston,” Miller said during the broadcast. “The way he’s able to handle the basketball. He makes big shots when the shot clock is running down, a lot like this young lady right here.” The comparison prompted a visibly surprised facial reaction from Clark that was caught on camera.
Clark’s teammate Sophie Cunningham later weighed in on Miller’s comparison.
Sophie Cunningham Reacts to Reggie Miller Comparing Caitlin Clark to Payton Pritchard
On Tuesday’s episode of her “Show Me Something” podcast, Cunningham praised Clark’s performance in her broadcasting debut and addressed Miller’s comment, noting that while she didn’t believe it was ill-intentioned, she disagreed with the comparison.
“First of all, I think she did a really good job,” Cunningham said. “She was a natural up there. I mean, she’s a dweeb, so she knows the game, so that’s no shock.”
“I personally love Reggie. … Knowing Reggie a little bit, I don’t think he meant any harm by it. But I do think, like, probably not the best comparison for, like, the generational player that Caitlin is.”
Clark, of course, has shattered records both on and off the court — from scoring and passing to television appearances. While Pritchard has been impactful and played a notable role in Boston’s success, including stretches without Jayson Tatum, Cunningham said he wasn’t an ideal comparison for Clark.
“But again, I don’t think she took it personal,” Cunningham said. “I don’t think anyone would really take it personal. But I don’t know if I would compare him to her.”
When Miller made the Pritchard comparison, Clark’s seemingly stunned reaction was clearly visible during the broadcast and caught fans’ attention.
She later sarcastically referenced the moment while reacting to a clip of Pritchard drilling a first-quarter buzzer-beater in Boston’s win Tuesday.
Both Clark and Pritchard are elite shooters. Clark is shooting 32.9% from deep over her career, while Pritchard owns a 39.1% career mark from 3-point range.
