Steve A. Smith Critiques “Immature” Sheryl Swoopes During the Caitlin Clark Scandal

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back in his response to WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes amid their ongoing feud about Caitlin Clark. For those who missed it, Smith previously called out Swoopes for not even mentioning Clark when talking about the success the Indiana Fever are having. The hoops icon was already labeled as a Clark hater, and her actions did nothing but fuel that narrative.

Smith called Swoopes “insane” for snubbing Clark, adding that “there is no way in hell that you just accidentally left Caitlin Clark’s name out of that soliloquy that you dropped about the Indiana Fever.” Swoopes, for her part, tried to justify her actions by claiming that she has a “personal relationship” with the players she mentioned. She also shared several posts on X (formerly Twitter) critical of Stephen A.

On Monday, Smith responded to Swoopes’ rebuttal by pointing out that she’s missing the point of his message. The veteran sports analyst said he was not questioning why Swoopes heaped praise on the other Fever players. What he couldn’t understand was why the four-time WNBA champion didn’t include Clark at all. “Nobody told you to ignore them [other Fever players],” Smith started. “What we’re saying [is] if you’re gonna give the Indiana Fever all the credit in the world, how are you gonna mention the Indiana Fever without Caitlin Clark’s name even coming up?” Stephen A. Smith proceeded to call Swoopes “immature” for the way she responded to him.

All I’m gonna say is, it was pretty damn immature to come back at me like that. Called me an effing coward? Because I called you out for not doing your job? … I mean the bottom line is this: she engages in a level of immaturity. Let’s just call it what it is.”