Sophie Cunningham’s response to Caitlin Clark – Payton Pritchard controversy didn’t disappoint originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Caitlin Clark’s broadcast debut at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night delivered one viral clip that broke containment and figures to be referenced for some time to come.
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Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller likened Clark’s game to that of Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, in comments that appeared to visibly rankle the Indiana Fever star.
“Like Payton Pritchard from Boston. The way he’s able to handle the basketball. He makes big shots when the shot clock’s running down. A lot like this young lady right here,” Miller said during NBC’s broadcast of the Los Angeles Lakers-New York Knicks game. “He isn’t afraid of the big moment and is a champion like she is soon to be.”
On the latest episode of her Show Me Something podcast, Clark’s Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham called Miller “the best” and tried to contextualize his controversial comparison. But ultimately, she thought Miller was off-base.
“Knowing Reggie a little bit, I don’t think he meant any harm by it,” Cunningham told co-host West Wilson. “But I do think (it was) probably not the best comparison for the generational player that Caitlin is,” she continued with a smile on her face.
Cunningham also believes that Clark was not offended by Miller’s comment, despite online speculation to the contrary.
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“I don’t think she took it personal, I don’t think anyone would really take it personal,” Cunningham said. “But I don’t know if I would compare (Pritchard) to (Clark).
And Clark herself poked some fun at the viral moment Tuesday night on X. She used three smirking emojis in response to Pritchard’s buzzer-beating shot to end the first quarter of the Celtics’ eventual win over the Dallas Mavericks.
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