Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague received backlash after his recent comments about the Caitlin Clark-Alyssa Thomas incident.
The controversial foul by Thomas on Indiana Fever superstar Clark during their game on Wednesday became a major talking point, as fans and other players criticized the former for her actions.
But for Teague, Thomas was just diving for the ball and was in the right to go for the loose ball.
“She did dive for the ball, though, the ball right there,” said Teague in a recent episode of the "Club 520" podcast. “... She laid her hand on her neck. She ain’t even do nothing. I can see if she went down there and snuffed her.”
© Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
The one-time NBA champion also pointed out that Thomas didn’t intend to inflict significant damage on the Indiana Fever superstar, and he has seen harder fouls being committed.
“Look at her, the ball right there," he continued. "I went for the ball, I just fell on you, bro. ... You see how she barely tapped her, bro." She barely tapped her."
But fans were quick to defend the 2024 Rookie of the Year winner, claiming that the Phoenix Mercury forward had bad intentions during the play. This resulted in Teague receiving backlash for his controversial take.
“Yes. It is true AT just landed on Clark, to start. HOWEVER, AT then balled her hand into a fist and pushed her fist into Clark's throat. You can not watch the video of the play and not see this unless you are actually or willfully blind,” a user said.
“the ball was already gone from CC...before the extra dirty shots happened...@WNBA,” a fan commented.
“I don't think any of them watches any wnba games,” another said.
“she clearly wasnt going for the ball,” read a comment.
“Did you say Jeff Teague.....say no more then. LOL,” a fan reacted.
"Bro always desperate for attention bc he’s irrelevant," said another.
The WNBA punished Thomas retroactively. She was hit with a Flagrant 2 foul, a one-game suspension and a $1,000 fine.
