Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Caitlin Clark Leans In After Reggie Miller’s Payton Pritchard Comparison, Turning Viral Moment Playful

Her smirking-emoji nod to Payton Pritchard’s buzzer-beater signaled she took the episode in stride, focusing attention on how broadcasters scale elite WNBA talent to NBA comps.

Overview

  • During NBC’s Sunday pregame at Madison Square Garden, Reggie Miller likened Clark’s game to Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, and her surprised on-air look quickly went viral.
  • Carmelo Anthony countered on the same panel by citing Luka Dončić as a closer match for Clark’s pace and control as both a scorer and facilitator.
  • After Pritchard hit a first‑quarter buzzer-beater against the Mavericks on Tuesday, Clark reposted the clip with three smirking emojis, a light touch that eased the earlier backlash.
  • Reactions continued as Paul Pierce labeled Miller’s pick an embarrassment, and voices including Sophie Cunningham and Candace Parker said the comp undersold Clark’s generational stature.
  • Context framed the debate: Clark is a two-time All-Star and 2024 Rookie of the Year who drives the Fever’s offense, while Pritchard is a 2025 Sixth Man of the Year averaging about 16.8 points as a key Celtics role player; Clark also has more NBC spots ahead and has expressed optimism about ongoing WNBA CBA talks.