ESPN analyst and former WNBA coach Carolyn Peck stirred the pot after the Indiana Fever’s win against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. She went quite bold and stated that the Fever performs better without Caitlin Clark.
Peck’s statement was rather bold and wasn’t taken in good taste by Clark fans, many of them unhappy with the remarks.
Fans Unhappy With Carolyn Peck Over Caitlin Clark Comments
Carolyn Peck had a rather controversial comment to make after Fever’s victory. “I think that Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play because she’s a ball-dominant guard,” she said. “The ball’s in her hands a lot, so you know what you need to try to take away. But when you look at Indiana now, they’ve got so many weapons.”
Of course, it did not sit well with the fans. Soon after the SportsCenter telecast, the video went viral, with fans expressing their disapproval. One fan went straight ahead, saying, “The hating is real”.
The hating is real.
— Honey (@FlowerlySuki) July 4, 2025
Another fan stated analysts needed to be a bit more neutral when it comes to strong opinions like these.
Aren’t yall supposed to be neutral?
— luvsnotjustaverb (@ANTHONY_WhatIf) July 4, 2025
Another fan slammed the remarks and expressed their disapproval, writing, “The jealousy and stupidity when it comes to the analysis of Clark is getting out of hand. These people should not be analysts. Everything is about hot takes nowadays and not real analysis.”
The jealousy and stupidity when it comes to the analysis of Clark is getting out of hand. These people should not be analysts. Everything is about hot takes nowadays and not real analysis. 🙃
— Jordan Friedlander (@JordanFriedlan4) July 4, 2025
One more fan voiced their criticism of the analysis.
This is some crazy hating ngl
The clip here:https://t.co/T4pYPeo4vK
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) July 4, 2025
And then this fan had their own strong opinions, needing an apology from Peck.
That’s why she is on ESPN gives bad takes & why she no longer coaches. Every take she had last year about CC was wrong. She & ESPN need to apologize when it comes back around..
— AngelaY (@angelayoho1) July 4, 2025
Clark has struggled with injuries this season, being forced to sit out for nine games, first due to her left quad strain, and then a groin injury setback. In her absence, the Fever are currently 9-8 and also clinched the Commissioner’s Cup.
With Clark, the Fever posted a 5-4 record, averaging an 85.0 offensive rating, which saw a modest decline in her absence, falling to 80.2.
Indiana’s other stars did have something to prove for themselves as well, something Peck pointed out, “When you have a point guard like Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald making plays on the perimeter, and a post like Aliyah Boston, I’m gonna tell you: Indiana, they are a threat. And it’s specifically on the defensive end.”
In their 81-54 win against the Aces, Kelsey Mitchell added a team-high 25 points, 9-of-18 shooting, with four 3-pointers made on six attempts from deep. Others, too, increased their output during Clark’s absence.
Nonetheless, her presence makes Fever more potent. She’s an All-Star for the second consecutive season, even with her injuries. Last season, she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists while giving away only 5.6 turnovers.
This season, she’s averaging 18.2 points and 8.9 assists, giving away 5.9 turnovers. Even as she is going to miss the next game, fans aren’t ready to give up on her just yet!
