NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has voiced strong support for Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark following a tense moment during a recent WNBA matchup. During the Fever’s 92-75 victory over the Seattle Storm on Sunday, Clark was seen celebrating with fans when six-time WNBA All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith appeared to intentionally collide with her. The contact, which many interpreted as deliberate, sparked a heated response from fans and sports commentators alike.
Sharpe addressed the incident on his podcast Night Cap with co-host Chad Johnson, where he openly criticized the actions of Diggins-Smith. He urged fellow WNBA players to stop undermining Clark’s rise in the league. “She was simply energizing the home crowd,” Sharpe said, adding that Diggins-Smith clearly sped up to make contact. “Y’all just mad because that corn-fed Iowa girl is out here dominating. Let her shine!”
The backlash against Diggins-Smith was swift, particularly on social media where many accused her of acting out of jealousy. Once a college sensation at Notre Dame and a proven force in the league, Diggins-Smith’s performance has dipped following a two-year break due to maternity leave. Her current season average of 13.8 points per game is her lowest since 2016.
Caitlin Clark, on the other hand, has been on an impressive streak. Despite being a rookie, she has consistently delivered standout performances. Against the Storm, she posted 23 points and nine assists, continuing her trend of scoring 20 or more points in five of her last six appearances. Over that period, she’s averaging 23.7 points on 47% shooting, along with 11.7 assists per game—an extraordinary stat line that underlines her impact.
Clark recently broke the WNBA’s rookie assist record, surpassing the 1998 mark set by Ticha Penicheiro. While the Fever currently hold a 13-15 record, they’ve won four of their last five games. With 12 games left in the season, Clark’s momentum—and the Fever’s growing synergy—suggest that there’s still much more to come. Their next challenge will be against the Minnesota Lynx after a short break in their schedule.
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