The Los Angeles Lakers‘ visit to Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1 delivered a moment that overshadowed on-court drama and shifted attention to one of basketball’s brightest stars.
Before tipoff between the Lakers and New York Knicks, Caitlin Clark was prominently featured on NBC‘s Basketball Night in America as she made her debut as a special contributor ahead of the network’s Sunday Night Basketball coverage.
Her presence injected energy into the broadcast and set the stage for an unexpected highlight involving LeBron James.
Late in the first quarter, with the Lakers leading 33-27, James launched a deep “Logo 3” attempt that misfired and clanged off the rim, a rare and highly publicized airball from a shot so far from the basket. The NBC announcers pounced on the moment.
“Caitlin Clark‘s in the house tonight, so he might as well try a logo 3, right?” one joked immediately after the miss. “Caitlin will take care of that.”
The quip drew laughter in the booth and quickly spread online, underscoring how even a veteran like James, in his 23rd NBA season and currently 41 years old, can find himself the butt of friendly ribbing when juxtaposed with Clark‘s legendary range.
While James remains one of the most accomplished players in NBA history, his three-point percentage this season has dipped below previous standards, prompting playful commentary such as this.
Meanwhile, Clark‘s rise, from NCAA all-time leading scorer to the face of the Indiana Fever and a crossover media presence, has been swift and unmistakable.
NBC‘s decision to include her on its NBA coverage was widely noted as a signal of her impact on the sport beyond the WNBA.
NBC broadcast and Clark’s expanding role
Clark‘s role on the broadcast team brought additional moments that showcased the dynamics between basketball generations.
Former NBA sharpshooter Reggie Miller, also on the pregame panel, tried to rank himself among shooters from Indiana: “There’s a new shooter from Indiana, I’m the thirdbest shooter in the state of Indiana now. It goes Caitlin, Tyrese, and now myself.”
His jest, met with chuckles from fans online, reflected Clark‘s growing reputation for deep shooting, a skill she became known for during her college years at Iowa and in the WNBA.
Yet not every moment was purely lighthearted. A clip from the broadcast caught attention when Miller compared Clark to NBA guard Payton Pritchard, eliciting a visible reaction from Clark herself.
Clark has embraced the challenge, expressing excitement about working with NBA legends like Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and host Maria Taylor.
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