Adam Silver Offers Supportive Message for Caitlin Clark Before NBA Finals

The NBA boss weight in on the week's big debate.
Jun 1, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against the Chicago Sky during a game at Grainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Pemberton/INDIANAPOLIS STAR-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against the Chicago Sky during a game at Grainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Pemberton/INDIANAPOLIS STAR-USA TODAY Sports / INDIANAPOLIS STAR-USA TODAY Sports
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NBA commissioner Adam Silver met with the media before Thursday night's Game 1 of the NBA Finals where he spoke about a lot of topics, including Caitlin Clark and the way the rookie is being treated in her first year in the WNBA.

Clark has been the center of attention since being the No. 1 pick in April's draft and things heated up this week after she was tossed to the ground on a hard foul by Chicago's Chennedy Carter. Debates have been raging about the way veteran players are treating Clark.

Silver had this to say on the topic:

“It’s nothing new in basketball that there is welcome to the league moments, especially for heralded rookies. But of course I wa,nt to see Caitlin treated fairly and appropriately in the league. I would say, it seems like she can take care of herself, she’s a tough player. "

Here are his full comments:

Clark and the 2-9 Fever are back in action Friday night when they face the 0-10 Washington Mystics on the road.


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Andy Nesbitt
ANDY NESBITT

Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.