Caitlin Clark speaks during a news conference before an NCAA college basketball game between Iowa and Southern California.

Caitlin Clark speaks during a news conference before an NCAA college basketball game between Iowa and Southern California. LAPRESSE

A recent controversy has emerged involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and her decision to decline an invitation to participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s 3-point shootout. FOX Sports host Rob Parker has publicly criticized Clark, claiming she “ruined” the event by turning down the invitation.

Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, opted to wait until the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis to enter her first 3-point contest as a professional. According to Parker, Clark’s refusal was a missed opportunity to boost television ratings and provide fans with an exciting spectacle.

Caitlin Clark in the Valley for Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors Burn City Sports

“Caitlin Clark has ruined NBA All-Star Weekend,” Parker said. “They invited her to be involved in a shooting contest with Steph and they were going to make this nice and give people something to watch.” It’s pretty clear that he was not happy with the decision.

The detailed explanation

Parker went on to suggest that Clark owed the NBA a favor, given the league’s long-standing support for the WNBA. “How can she say no when the WNBA wouldn’t even be around if it wasn’t for the NBA?” Parker argued. “The least she could have done was do a solid for her brothers in the NBA.”

Clark’s representatives have not commented on Parker’s remarks, but the situation has sparked a debate about the expectations placed on athletes and the pressures they face from media and fans.

As the NBA All-Star Weekend approaches, the controversy surrounding Clark’s decision continues to draw attention, highlighting the complexities of balancing personal and professional commitments in the world of sports.

ESPN Analyst Under Fire After Backtracking on Viral Caitlin Clark Take originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been out for the past five games with a groin injury.

Meanwhile, despite a loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, her team went on a three-game winning streak without her, blowing out both the Minnesota Lynx (Commissioner’s Cup championship game, 74-59) and the Las Vegas Aces (81-54) during that stretch.

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After the Aces game on July 3, ESPN’s Carolyn Peck was on “SportsCenter” and said, “I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play.”

At the time, her comments went viral. While the Fever played well without Clark, having the reigning Rookie of the Year and already two-time All-Star in just her second season, back in the lineup would be a huge boost for Indiana.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22). Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

On Sunday, Peck took to social media to clear the air on her words.

“I did not say Caitlin Clark is not Valuable,” Peck said. “She’s a-great player. For those who only see Caitlin, I was complimenting the rest of the team. The Fever have several weapons. Yes, they lost last night. They have lost games w her. RESPECT to the WHOLE Indiana Fever team.”

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Peck posted a second time on X:

“As a coach, if you have ever prepared a scouting report? Scout the Fever w &w/out Caitlin. What do you have to take away in both scenarios? They are different. One is not easier than the other, just different. There is a lot of talent on that team.”

Fans quickly headed to the replies of her posts to share their reactions.

“couldve given them their flowers without saying theyre better without her,” one fan said.

“Not what you said. Keep trying to walk that back but it was on camera,” another wrote.

“You said they are even more dangerous without her!! That is unequivocally false!!” added another.

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“You can compliment without downplaying Caitlin Clark. That is, if you really want,” wrote a fan.

“LMAO!!! You just saving face since they lost last night. Most likely just grasping for engagement of her name again. Just stop already,” one said.

“that’s not what you said but ok,” another fan added.

Related: DeWanna Bonner’s Involvement in Controversial Caitlin Clark Incident Emerges

Related: Caitlin Clark Shares Awkward Response to Fever’s Latest Post After Long Night

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

Caitlin Clark Book Author Details Serious Confrontation With DiJonai Carrington originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun faced off in the first round of last season’s WNBA playoffs.

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The Sun ended up sweeping the Fever 2-0, but it turns out there was a behind-the-scenes confrontation involving current Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington, who was with Connecticut at the time, and Christine Brennan, author of “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports.”

Several hours before Game 2 of the series, Carrington poked her head through a curtain where Brennan, Indianapolis Star Fever beat writer Chloe Peterson and Fieldhouse Files reporter Scott Agness were standing.

That’s when Carrington shouted, “Why are you talking [expletive] about NaLyssa [Smith]?”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket defended by former Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21).© Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

It’s important to note that Carrington and Smith were not even teammates at the time, as Smith was on the Fever. However, they are in a romantic relationship off the court.

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Brennan, who included the confrontation in her book, admitted that Carrington’s actions surprised the three writers.

“The question surprised the three of us because no one was saying anything personal or derogatory about Smith,” Brennan wrote. “Agness and Peterson had been discussing a bit of Fever strategy they had just noticed on the court but had been asked not to divulge publicly — that Smith was going to be replaced in the starting lineup for Game Two by veteran Temi Fagbenle.”

Carrington shouted again, “You’re saying she’s a bad teammate!”

Carrington didn’t stop there, and locked eyes specifically with Brennan adding, “I walked past and I heard you talking [expletive] about NaLyssa! It was you, out of your mouth!”

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While Carrington’s involvement ended there, she relayed what had happened to Smith, who then approached the three writers as they stood on the court waiting to interview players.

“Do you have something to say to me?” Smith asked Brennan.

“I’m always happy to talk to you,” Brennan answered.

Several minutes later, after they returned to the tunnel, Smith questioned Brennan again, saying, “What did you say?”

Brennan stood her ground again, saying that neither she, Agness or Peterson would say anything “negative” about her.

“You are lying,” Smith said as she walked away.

Things escalated, with a WNBA official getting involved, along with WNBA communications director Sam Hager, Sun president Jen Rizzotti and Fever PR director Ryan Stevens.

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The WNBA players’ union wanted to ban Brennan for what she allegedly said, and before she knew it, the situation went viral. Brennan was called out by well-respected athletes she had previously had strong relationships with.

Carrington chimed in once more, tagging Brennan on social media and calling her “Goofy.”

Fast forward to today, and Brennan’s book has been released for several weeks. Carrington and Smith both started this season on the Wings, but Smith was traded from Dallas to the Las Vegas Aces on Monday.

Related: DeWanna Bonner’s Involvement in Controversial Caitlin Clark Incident Emerges

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s comments on Chicago Sky controversy as trio ‘to split up’

Chicago Sky have reportedly opted against giving Chennedy Carter a new contract this season, despite being an important player for the team throughout the 2024 season

Angel Reese has developed a close bond with her team-mate Carter (Image: Getty Images )

Chennedy Carter will not be receiving a new contract at Chicago Sky according to new reports – and team-mate Angel Reese likely won’t be happy.

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Carter averaged 17.5 points per game for the Sky last season, and despite missing the playoffs, the team were renowned for their closeness both on and off the court. One person that was fully in Carter’s corner was rookie Reese, who was the seventh pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft for the Chicago team.

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The pair had developed a close relationship over their time playing for Sky, with Carter being very vocal in her choosing Reese for Rookie of the Year. Back in August 2024, the 26-year-old endorsed Reese – who is also known as Barbie – and claimed she had worked hard for the accolade.

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Carter said: “Barbie’s Rookie of the Year. There’s no other way to put it. She goes out, she does her work every single night, no matter what team we’re facing. I’m telling you, Barbie’s Rookie of the Year, for sure.”

A wrist injury affected Reese’s case for the prestigious award, leaving her to miss the last six games of the season. Fellow college sensation and long-time rival Caitlin Clark won Rookie of the Year instead with 66 out of 67 votes – with Reese receiving the other one.

Clark has also been a large part of Reese and Carter’s relationship, but not for the reason many new basketball fans would think. Clark and Carter were involved in an incident when Indiana Fever was playing Chicago Sky, and the 22-year-old was nudged to the ground and taunted by Carter late in the game.

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While many would see this as part of the contact of women’s basketball, this incident spiraled into much more, as we take a look back at the full scope of what happened below.

Carter, Clark, and Reese – the incident that continued off-court for the trio

Caitlin Clark and Chennedy Carter have their own history in the WNBA (Image: Quinn Harris/Getty Images )

In June last year, the Fever were playing Sky at home and were 54-49 up in the third quarter of the game. As they headed into the final 10 minutes of the game, the Sky were coming back into it and were fired up for the challenge.

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Carter, who was playing guard for Sky, nudged opponent Clark to the floor and taunted the rookie while the ball was out of play. Officials at the time confirmed that it was a common foul, but the WNBA upgraded it to a ‘flagrant 1’ foul after the fact.

The game ended in a 71-70 win for the Sky, and Reese was very vocal after the game that there had been unfair treatment towards her team when the foul was upgraded. At the time, the 22-year-old said: “Did you see when J.J. knocked me down? Go check the film, J.J. knocked me down. She didn’t get a flagrant one though, she got a regular foul, but it was the same thing. You can’t pick and choose which players get flagrant fouls and flagrant ones and twos. Go check the clip, it’s the same.”

Carter was penalised for this foul on Clark (Image: Twitter )

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The situation didn’t end here, however, as an angry fan confronted the winning team at their hotel while they were trying to get off the bus. On June 5, 2024, Carter appeared to be singled out by a fan who had arrived at the hotel where the Chicago Sky team was staying. ESPN reports that the person was spotted in a now-deleted video trying to approach the 26-year-old just days after her on-court incident with Clark.

Afterward, Carter’s teammates rushed to her defense on social media, with Reese one of the many defending Carter from the harassment. She said: “Finding out our teams hotel to pull with a camera as we get off the bus and put it in my teammates face & HARASS her is NASTY WORK. this really is outta control and needs to STOP.”

Michaela Onyenwere also spoke out and confirmed that security was there to handle the situation before it got out of hand. She said: “Getting harassed at our hotel is where the line needs to be drawn. Some ‘fans’ have NO CHILLLL.”

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Onyenwere added: “We have security, and they did a great job of de-escalating the situation/protecting us. It’s still extremely weird & crosses the boundaries meeting us right when we get off the bus.”

When it comes to Clark, she defended Carter after the incident and claimed that it was just the athlete’s “competitive” nature that led her to get drawn into making a foul. The 22-year-old said: “Basketball’s competitive. I get it. Sometimes your emotions get the best of you — it happened to me multiple times throughout the course of my career. People are competitive.

“[Carter is] having a tremendous season. She’s played great basketball — in my eyes, probably in first place for Sixth Player of the Year. She’s been great off the bench for them. She had 25 [points] here last night and really helped them win the game.”

Rickea Jackson Gets Four-Word Message from Fever Guard After Sparks Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Indiana Fever faced the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night, looking to win their fourth straight game. The Sparks, meanwhile, were hoping to pick up their second victory over the Fever in the past two weeks.

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Once again, Indiana was without Caitlin Clark as she continues to deal with a groin injury. In the absence of the reigning Rookie of the Year, the Fever needed others to step up. Sydney Colson is one of the players who has seen her minutes increase with Clark out.

Coming off the bench, Colson added six points, two rebounds and five assists, but the Fever came up just short in an 89-87 n loss.

Sparks forward and 2024 No. 4 overall pick Rickea Jackson had herself a game, scoring 15 points, grabbing two rebounds and dishing five assists.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson (2) drives against the Indiana Fever.© HG Biggs/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

At one point during the contest, Jackson went up for a layup, and Colson came from behind, got all ball and blocked the shot. The clip of the play made its way to social media, and Jackson replied to the post, saying, “Delete this.”

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Colson saw Jackson’s post and replied to her with a four-word message.

“goin in my dumpskiii,” Colson said.

It was just some friendly banter from the veteran Fever guard — nothing personal. Colson simply wanted to store the clip for the memories.

Colson and Jackson will face off two more times this season. The next meeting between Indiana and Los Angeles is set for Aug. 5 at Crypto.com Arena, with the final regular-season matchup scheduled for Aug. 29 in L.A. again.

Related: ESPN Analyst Under Fire After Backtracking On Viral Caitlin Clark Take

Related: DeWanna Bonner’s Involvement in Controversial Caitlin Clark Incident Emerges

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.