A recent comparison made by the Indiana Pacers legend, Reggie Miller, regarding Caitlin Clark has sparked a firestorm of debate across the WNBA world. The moment occurred during the historic debut of NBC’s “Sunday Night Basketball” on February 1, 2026, at Madison Square Garden.
What was meant to be a celebration of Clark’s new role as a special contributor for the network quickly turned into one of the most awkward moments of the NBA season when while comparing Clark to other stars, Miller named a rotational player.
Leading the charge in defense of Clark is former collegiate player and media personality Rachel DeMita, who did not hesitate in her critique of Miller’s comparison. Paul Pierce also joined the debate in order to defend the Indiana Fever star.
The comparison that ignited the debate
During a pregame segment hosted by Maria Taylor, Clark was joined at the desk by two NBA icons: Carmelo Anthony and Reggie Miller. When Taylor asked the veterans to name an NBA player comparison for the WNBA star, the answers could not have been further apart.
Anthony kept the superstar narrative alive naming Luka Doncic as the comparison of his choice, praising her ability to dominate the offensive end and her elite shooting range, earning the agreement of fans and analysts.
Reggie Miller, on the other the ohter side, decided to name Payton Pritchard, the Boston Celtic guard, mentioning her ability to handle the game and make big shots under pressure.
“I like Payton Pritchard from Boston. The way he’s able to handle the basketball. He makes big shots when the shot clock’s running down. A lot like this young lady right here. He isn’t afraid of the big moment and is a champion like she is soon to be
While Miller’s approach was clearly positive, the claim was met with a visible silence from the set. It did not stop there though, as through social media many others stated their discomfort with the comparison.
Rachel DeMita and Paul Pierce break their silence
One of those to raise their voice was Rachel DeMita, who used her platforms to show the frustration felt inside the WNBA community. She argued that comparing the WNBA’s biggest draw to a “role player” was a missed opportunity.
“It could have been anyone. Trae Young, Steve Nash, Damian Lillard, Steph Curry. I know she gets the Steph Curry comp a lot and her game is very different… but if you’re just talking about like, just compare her to someone who shoots long 3s.
Former NBA player Paul Pierce, on the No Fouls Given podcast, admitted he was genuinely baffled by the comparison too and even called it “an embarrassment”:
“She had that look like, ‘Bro, I was thinking more Stephen Curry,’ because of her magnetic pull. They’re not doubling him everywhere, face-guarding him, denying him as they do her, like they do Steph. Did you see her at the USA game? They were picking her up full court
Like Pierce and DeMita, the comparison caught most people off guard. The claims were not meant to discredit Payton Pritchard at all, but they suggested that Clark should have been put in the same place as other generational players like her. People defending Clark are ensuring that her effect is met with the same gravitas as the legends who came before her.
However, Clark’s presence on NBA broadcasts is a vital bridge for the sport and future generations.
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