Fever's Loss To Sparks Triggers More Backlash Against Espn Analyst For Controversial Caitlin Clark Take

The Indiana Fever dropped a adjacent crippled to nan antecedently 5-13 Los Angeles Sparks connected Saturday night, prompting fans to return to societal media to deed backmost astatine ESPN expert Carolyn Peck aft she based on that nan squad was "more dangerous" without prima defender Caitlin Clark. 

Clark missed her 5th consecutive – her 2nd lengthy absence of nan play – connected Saturday nighttime arsenic she remained sidelined pinch a groin injury. Earlier successful nan week, Peck based on that nan Fever were "more dangerous" without Clark.

Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark looks connected against nan Minnesota Lynx successful nan 2nd half during nan Commissioner's Cup last astatine Target Center connected July 1, 2025. (Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images)

"I deliberation that Indiana is moreover much vulnerable erstwhile Caitlin Clark doesn’t play, because she’s a ball-dominant guard," she said. "The ball’s successful her hands a lot, truthful you cognize what you request to effort to return away. But erstwhile you look astatine Indiana now, they’ve sewage truthful galore weapons." 

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Fans initially deed backmost aft Peck’s comments connected Thursday, but aft an 89-87 nonaccomplishment to the Sparks, the critics returned. 

Carolyn Peck speaks earlier nan crippled betwixt nan Minnesota Lynx and nan New York Liberty during nan WNBA Finals connected Oct. 10, 2024, astatine nan Barclays Center successful Brooklyn, New York. (David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)

"Saying nan Indiana Fever are amended without Caitlin Clark is nan dumbest return I've heard successful a agelong time. It's almost for illustration they needed her coming against a squad that was 5-13," FOX Sports Radio big Brian Noe said successful a post. 

ESPN ANALYST SLAMMED FOR SAYING FEVER IS 'MORE DANGEROUS' WITHOUT CAITLIN CLARK AMID INJURY ABSENCE

Including Saturday’s loss, nan Fever are 2-3 without Clark. Indiana missed its past 5 shots, 4 successful nan last infinitesimal against nan Sparks, including Aliyah Boston’s missed changeable successful nan last 3 seconds.

Boston led nan squad pinch 23 points and 12 rebounds. Natasha Howard had 21 points and 9 rebounds and Kelsey Mitchell added 19 points. 

Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell goes to nan handbasket surrounded by Los Angeles Sparks players, Saturday, July 5, 2025, successful Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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There’s nary clear timeline for Clark’s return. She was selected arsenic 1 of nan 2 captains for the WNBA All-Star Game, which will beryllium hosted successful Indiana connected July 19. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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