Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark missed her team’s 85-75 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday due to a groin injury, marking her second setback in recent weeks after recovering from a quad injury. Clark’s enduring talent and potential remain the focus of attention amid her shooting challenges, with notable figures drawing parallels between her and Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry.
Clark has delivered an impressive season for the Fever, averaging 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. During a Thursday appearance on The Herd, renowned St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino praised Clark by comparing her playing style to that of Curry early in his career.
Rick Pitino Highlights Clark’s Similarities to Steph Curry
Rick Pitino emphasized Clark’s exceptional passing and shooting range, noting her resemblance to Steph Curry when he first entered the league. He remarked on her court vision and playmaking skills as standout traits despite her current physical limitations.
“Great passer. She reminds me of Steph Curry when Steph Curry came into the league,” Pitino said. “She’s doing what Steph did early on. She has unbelievable range. She has great vision. She’s a terrific passer.”
“You know, she’s physically a little weak, uh, but she’ll get stronger as time goes on. But she really understands how to play, and she reminds me of a female version of Steph Curry. Incredible range.”
Clark’s rookie season gave glimpses of this potential, as she shot 34.4% from beyond the arc while earning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. However, this year she has struggled with her shot, currently sinking just 29.5% overall and missing her last 22 attempts from three-point range.
Support from Fellow Top Draft Pick Paige Bueckers Amid Shooting Struggles
Despite the growing scrutiny over Clark’s diminished shooting efficiency, fellow No. 1 draft pick and former UConn standout Paige Bueckers, who faced Clark in college, spoke out in her defense during a media session on Thursday. Bueckers acknowledged the immense pressure Clark faces nightly and applauded her resilience.
“She (Caitlin Clark) handles it with grace,” Bueckers said. “The pressure that she’s put on every single night to perform at the level that she does, it’s inhumane, really, to expect people to be perfect and to not have off games or off nights. If she doesn’t go 8-for-10 from 3, people are questioning things. It’s unfair to have to deal with that.
“I’m sure she has a great team around her and great people to help her and I know she’s a great person at dealing with it and just tuning out the noise and just continuing to be there for herself and for her team. The expectations, it’s tough when you listen to it, so I’m sure she has a great way of tuning it out.”
Clark’s Role in the WNBA All-Star Race and Upcoming Matchups
Even amid her shooting difficulties, Caitlin Clark remains a fan favorite, leading the WNBA All-Star voting with over half a million votes. She could potentially square off against Paige Bueckers, ranked second in the voting, in an upcoming game against the Dallas Wings on Friday, presenting an anticipated contest between two of the league’s most promising young talents.
Clark’s ability to bounce back from injury and shooting struggles will be vital for the Indiana Fever’s playoff hopes and her own continued development. Pitino’s comparison to Steph Curry sets high expectations but also reflects the unique skills Clark brings to the game, signaling that her best basketball may still be ahead.