Caitlin Clark’s injury has sparked major discussion across the WNBA, and now, Sue Bird is weighing in. The legendary former Seattle Storm guard is calling out what she sees as a double standard in how Clark’s recent quad injury has been treated by fans and media alike.
Clark, who has been a transformative figure in women’s basketball since her Iowa days, suffered a quad strain during a May 24 loss to the New York Liberty. While she’s expected to miss at least two weeks, some fans have complained about her absence, and even called for ticket refunds.
You’d Never Say That About LeBron: Bird Calls Out Fans
On her A Touch More podcast, Bird addressed the reaction bluntly.
“Injuries are a part of it. I get it—it sucks,” Bird said. “But no, you would never say that about men’s sports.”
Bird compared Clark’s situation to NBA stars like LeBron James or Steph Curry, saying no one would expect refunds just because a superstar is temporarily sidelined.
“Now you’re just not taking the WNBA as a business,” she added. “She’s hurt. It sucks. The league will continue to go on.”
Support the League to Support Caitlin Clark
Bird also emphasized that supporting Clark means supporting the entire WNBA. Some fans have admitted they won’t attend games without her on the floor. Which Bird believes misses the bigger picture.
“You’re now doing a disservice to her,” Bird said. “Supporting the league is supporting Caitlin. She’s a part of that ecosystem.”
In Clark’s absence, the Indiana Fever dropped two straight games. However, they bounced back on Tuesday with an 85-76 win over the Washington Mystics.
A key contributor was Aari McDonald, who signed with Indiana on Monday via the emergency hardship exception. The former No. 3 overall pick delivered 7 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals in 27 minutes off the bench.
“She’s hungry… and she’s just a dog on defense,” said Fever coach Stephanie White.
Caitlin Clark’s Injury Could Offer Growth
Coach White believes the injury could benefit both Clark and the team long-term by building depth and giving Clark a new perspective.
“It gives her an opportunity to see it from a different lens,” White noted. “There’s varying levels to how you see the game as a player and as a coach.”
Clark’s exact return date remains uncertain, but the Fever seem determined to find silver linings while their star rookie recovers.
