Shannon Sharpe Defends Caitlin Clark After Controversial Incident with Skylar Diggins-Smith

In an unexpected turn of events, Shannon Sharpe has come to the defense of Caitlin Clark following a controversial encounter during the Indiana Fever’s 92-75 victory over the Seattle Storm on Sunday. The rookie sensation Clark was met with what many perceived as a cheap shot by Skylar Diggins-Smith, a six-time WNBA All-Star, after Clark hyped up her home crowd at the end of the game.

The Controversial Bump

Shannon Sharpe defends Caitlin Clark after WNBA legend's cheap shot: 'That corn-fed Iowa girl busting y'all a**' | Daily Mail Online

As the game wound down, Clark was seen engaging with her enthusiastic fans when she was bumped into by Diggins-Smith. Some fans and commentators felt that Diggins-Smith had intentionally sped up to collide with Clark, adding a layer of hostility to what should have been a celebratory moment for the Fever rookie. This incident quickly gained attention, both in the arena and across social media, with many accusing Diggins-Smith of acting out of frustration.

Shannon Sharpe Speaks Out

In the aftermath of the game, Shannon Sharpe used his ‘Night Cap’ podcast with Chad Johnson to voice his support for Clark and call out the behavior of veteran players like Diggins-Smith. Sharpe didn’t hold back, urging players to respect Clark’s game and stop “this foolishness,” a sentiment that resonated with many fans.

“Caitlin Clark is getting the crowd going. Y’all see Skylar Diggins speed up to make contact with her. Stop this! Y’all mad because that cornfed Iowa girl is busting y’all a*… [She’s] cooking. Let her cook!”* Sharpe exclaimed.

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Sharpe’s impassioned defense highlighted the respect Clark has earned as a talented and rising star in the league, further emphasizing that veteran players should focus on their own performance rather than taking out their frustration on younger players.

Diggins-Smith Under Fire

Shannon Sharpe SCREAMS After Caitlin Clark Pushed By Skylar Diggins "THIS AIN'T NO WHITE HYPE"

The controversial bump wasn’t the only negative attention that Diggins-Smith faced. Social media erupted with comments accusing her of jealousy and frustration toward Clark, who has taken the league by storm. Diggins-Smith, despite a decorated career, is in the midst of her lowest point-per-game season (13.8 points) since 2016, likely contributing to her frustration with the young star.

Earlier in the season, Chennedy Carter of the Atlanta Dream also took a shot at Clark, bodychecking her to the ground. The moment sparked further debate and was compounded by Angel Reese, Clark’s college rival, being seen cheering from the bench during the incident.

Clark’s Rising Stardom

Despite the hostility, Caitlin Clark continues to shine brightly. She delivered an impressive 23 points and 9 assists in the victory over the Storm, extending her streak of scoring 20 or more points to five of her last six games. Clark is averaging 23.7 points on 47% shooting and 11.7 assists over that span.

Additionally, Clark has already broken the WNBA rookie assist record, surpassing Ticha Penicheiro’s 1998 mark with a total of 232 assists. This impressive feat underscores her playmaking ability and solidifies her reputation as a key player to watch in the league.

The Fever’s Strong Performance

Let her cook!": Shannon Sharpe backs Caitlin Clark, calls out Skylar Diggins -Smith for late-game shove

While Clark is leading the charge, her team, the Indiana Fever, has also seen improvement. With a record of 13-15, they’ve won four of their last five games and are looking to build on their momentum as they enter the final stretch of the season. Their month-long WNBA break appears to have benefited the team, and they will have another mini-break this week before facing the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday.

Looking Ahead

As Clark continues to develop her game and prove her worth on the court, the Fever will be hoping she can continue to deliver at an elite level. The ongoing drama surrounding her performances and interactions with veterans like Diggins-Smith may only fuel her desire to succeed. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching as Caitlin Clark takes her game—and the WNBA—by storm.