Popular sports commentator Skip Bayless has been a huge supporter of Caitlin Clark this season. In fact, when the Indiana Fever star was named Player of the Week for the third time this campaign, he was quick to call out those WNBA players who had disrespected her.
However, after the Fever's loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday, Bayless didn't hold back from criticizing Clark and blaming her for the defeat.
Clark finished with 20 points and eight assists in the Fever's 86-84 overtime loss to the Aces. While some would see it as a decent showing in a tight game, the All-Star guard made a couple of bad mistakes that ultimately cost Indiana the game.
The Fever had a chance to pull away for good when Clark was fouled by Chelsea Gray with seven seconds left. With Indiana ahead 75-72 at that point, all she needed to do was make at least one of her two free throws to make it a two-possession game and virtually secure the victory for the team.
However, Clark missed both free throws, which set the stage for the Aces to tie the game. Gray proceeded to drain a triple as time expired to force overtime.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Things only got worse for Clark in overtime. With the Fever ahead 84-83 and just seven seconds remaining, they had the chance for one more offensive play to extend their lead. Instead, she turned the ball over with a bad pass, giving the Aces an opportunity to win the game.
Gray once again delivered by making another 3-pointer as the clock hit zero.
Bayless pointed to those mistakes as the reason for Indiana's heartbreaking defeat: "This awful home loss is on Caitlin. Missed both clinching free throws late in reg, then terrible turnover late in OT. Chelsea Gray made her pay both times with stunning clutch 3s - to tie at the buzzer then win it at the buzzer. Congrats to Chelsea/Aces, who were down 20."
Now, the Fever have lost back-to-back games after winning five straight. They have fallen to 19-12 on the season and sit sixth in the standings after climbing as high as No. 4 last week.
Clark and the Fever will need to quickly move on from their disappointing showing, though, as they have a busy week ahead. They will return to action against the Chicago Sky on Saturday before facing the New York Liberty on Tuesday.
