Doris Burke hilariously digs at Caitlin Clark's media attention as P.J. Washington manhandles Kristaps Porzingis
The Caitlin Clark effect is real, and it has amusingly made its way to the NBA Finals. ESPN analyst Doris Burke mentioned Clark's name during a physical altercation between PJ Washington and Kristaps Porzingis.
With less than 10 minutes left in the second quarter, Washington pulled Porzingis down, leading to an exchange of words between the two.
Burke joked that if Caitlin Clark had been involved, it would spark debates for days.
"If that were Caitlin Clark, it might spark a debate for a week," Burke said.
Clark recently found herself in a similar situation during a rivalry game against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Sunday. In a controversial play, Reese hit Clark’s head while attempting a block, resulting in a flagrant 1 foul call on Reese.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese react to Flagrant 1 call
After the game, where Reese tied the WNBA rookie record with her sixth consecutive double-double, finishing with 11 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, she criticized the referees for allegedly favoring other players.
"I think we went up really strong and a lot of times we didn't get a lot of calls. And going back and looking at the film, I saw a lot of calls that weren't made," she said.
"I guess some people got a special whistle, but just being able to play as best as we can."
Caitlin Clark, meanwhile, viewed Reese’s play as a basketball move.
“It’s just part of basketball. It is what it is. She was trying to make a play on the ball and get the block,” she said.
“We’re competitors and that’s the way the game should be. It’s going to get a little feisty, it’s going to get a little physical but at the end of the day both teams are just trying to win.”
Earlier in the season, Clark was involved in another incident with the Sky, where Chicago guard Chennedy Carter hit her with what many considered a cheap shot. Initially called a regular foul, it was later upgraded to a flagrant one after the game, which the Fever also won.
Clark led the Fever to their second win over the Sky on Monday, scoring 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting, along with eight rebounds and nine assists.
After their 91-83 win over the Sky, the Fever improved to a 5-10 record, while the Sky dropped to 4-9.
Clark averaged 16.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds in her first 15 games played as a professional.