Caitlin Clark Reacts to Stephanie White's Postgame Locker Room Shoutout
Caitlin Clark picked up right where she left off after last season's Rookie of the Year run on Saturday, recording her first triple-double of the year with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The Indiana Fever dominated Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, 93-58, and now sit at 1-0 on the young 2025 WNBA season.
Following the game, Fever head coach Stephanie White addressed her players in the locker room.
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"Alright, y'all. Hey, good stuff," White said. "Okay, we did a lot of really good things. I thought our defense was really good. And when we had lapses, we played through possessions. Alright, so we made things happen. Y'all, overall, just hell of an effort."
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
White then went on to highlight several players for their performances. She started with forward DeWanna Bonner, who moved into third on the WNBA's all-time scoring list, then turned to Clark, praising her triple-double.
"C.C., triple-double," White said.
Clark sat there humbly, then made a nervous face and turned her head to the right as her teammates clapped and shouted.
Clark is used to all the attention and not one to get shy. But with all her teammates' eyes on her this time, she chose to have fun with it.
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The Fever got the start they wanted this season but understand it's just one game out of 44. They'll regroup and return to the court on Tuesday for their second game of the year. Indiana will host the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Related: Slow-Mo Video of Caitlin Clark's Flagrant Foul on Angel Reese Emerges
Related: Chicago Sky Under Fire for National Anthem Decision vs. Indiana Fever
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Washington Post
27 minutes ago
- Washington Post
‘Inside the NBA' was perfect. Now let it rest in peace.
It felt as if viewers attended a six-game wake for the 'Inside the NBA' brand last week. The final run at times seemed more like a long farewell to Ernie, Chuck, Shaq and Kenny than a showcase for the Eastern Conference finals. Still, someone must have cracked open the lid to the coffin, because its presence lives on. Which explains how, on Thursday night, Shaquille O'Neal could crash the set of ESPN/ABC's 'NBA Countdown' in Oklahoma City before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. 'Hello, Malika. Hello, Bob,' Shaq said in his baritone murmur to half of the crew. Then he gave his handheld microphone to Stephen A. Smith: 'Hold this,' he said, and pretended to throw body blows at former nemesis Kendrick Perkins. Through the surprised — and likely relieved — cackles from the personalities on set, viewers couldn't exactly make out what Perkins was yelling over his own laughter. Shaq's cameo caught everyone off guard and provided the most pure and authentic moment of ESPN's pregame programming. It happened live on air, of course, and reminded basketball fans of the kind of unscripted chaos that TNT had perfected over the decades. But, please, let it die already. The show and its concept worked for that four-man crew. Nobody plays the straight man quite like Ernie Johnson. No former athlete tells the truth as savagely as Charles Barkley. No analyst has the chops to play along with the gags but also provide a measure of sobriety like Kenny 'The Jet' Smith. And there is no showman like Shaq. They turned game nights into comedy hour with a side of NBA, and we ate up our sweet dessert every Thursday. But thanks in part to those years of treats, sports broadcasting too often now just wants to feed viewers the gooey stuff. For the French Open, TNT has rolled out the 'MacZone' with brothers John and Patrick McEnroe, offering a hint of the 'ManningCast' with Peyton and Eli but also a needy attempt to re-create 'Inside' on red clay. With John McEnroe playing the role of a country club version of Charles Barkley, 'MacZone' has produced a mixed bag. Some viewers clearly love the brotherly banter. Others would prefer their tennis commentary with a bit more, say, tennis (and less musing about the New York Knicks, John's favorite NBA team). In another obvious 'Inside' effort, 'NHL on TNT' feels desperate at times to create buzzy moments, with former player Paul Bissonnette as equal parts jester and analyst. Some of the biggest 'Inside' imitators are found on NBA podcasts because it seems the majority of the empty calories in sports props up the NBA conversation. It's not just that the discourse feels negative rather than celebratory, a complaint among some current players. The talk is often so shallow. How this guy couldn't play in the golden age of ball. Or that guy needs to step up and score 30 a night. Maybe the average NBA fan has a weak palate for substance, explaining why the most popular podcasts feature ex-pros offering little about the NBA game, just spoonfuls of dated takes and sophomoric jokes. Or perhaps, the success of 'Inside' has influenced sports broadcasting too much. 'Inside' was gold. But the show was intended as entertainment, not education about the game. Perkins, a former player and now a paid analyst for one of the league's broadcast partners, even called out 'Inside the NBA' for its casualness around the league it covers. 'Obviously they don't watch basketball,' Perkins said back in April. Those fighting words continued a rivalry between himself and Shaq and Charles. However, with the 'Inside' format moving to ESPN, they're kissing and making up in public. But Perkins's opinion, shared only a few months ago, rang with truth. 'Inside' pulled off the irreverence and even ignorance because of the co-stars and their unmatched chemistry. In the wrong hands, however, we're left with former jocks just spilling tea from their glory days or mispronouncing the names of the current somebodies. And yet that hasn't stopped analysts or the networks they work for from trying to reproduce the inimitable and creating bad dupes that feel like Guccis found at a flea market. During ABC's pregame show, Stephen A. Smith set the scene for viewers, explaining the teams in the most rudimentary fashion for the viewers who might not have known that the Oklahoma City Thunder remained in existence after Kevin Durant left. Then, still near the top of the telecast, the talk shifted to what makes a superstar. Nothing on Tyrese Haliburton and the zombie Indiana Pacers who keep coming back from double-digit deficits (which would have been a prelude for things to come in that exciting Game 1), nor a deeper dive into Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP season. Just more fluff about a topic that matters only to the talking heads who need to fill segments with … something. 'Countdown' waited until its final segment to show clips explaining how Gilgeous-Alexander creates separation for his midrange scoring — about six minutes before the show went off the air. That was followed by the news that the Thunder was moving Cason Wallace into the starting lineup — like, real actual news. Bob Myers, the former Golden State Warriors executive who rarely looks comfortable in ESPN's contrived attempt at on-set chemistry, tried explaining why he didn't like this adjustment, made before the teams even played one minute of the Finals. He was cut off by Perkins because there needed to be a fake debate — and for all the criticism, the 'Inside' arguments never felt contrived. 'Let me ask you this: Is Cason Wallace a setback? Absolutely not,' Perkins said. Perkins must have studied at the College of Chuck because he spends most segments trying to sound like the most resolute — and provocative — person on set. Although Perkins clearly does watch NBA basketball, his analysis can be overshadowed by his hot takes. During the Western Conference finals, Perkins gave Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards unsolicited advice about his personal life, claiming he needed to find a wife and settle down as a family man to become the face of the league. The statement went as viral as he intended. Charles would cross the line — and often — but he could get away with it. Why? Because his show was about having fun — old NBA veterans respecting the game just enough but never taking it or themselves too seriously. That was their pattern, and it worked. With the 'Inside' crew, the audience knew what it was getting. Forget game analysis; we watched the most influential basketball show on television for the laughs. We didn't tune in to soak up Kenny's halftime analysis. We wanted to see whether Shaq would spin around and race Kenny to the big screen. We watched to find out whether Charles would finally know what team Garrett Temple plays for and to laugh along with him as the butt of the joke. There will never be another 'Inside,' and sports broadcasting should stop trying to create the next one.


New York Times
38 minutes ago
- New York Times
Oilers won't dwell on missed chances after close Game 2: ‘What's it going to do?'
EDMONTON – Should-haves, could-haves, an almost or two and some what-ifs. The Edmonton Oilers were so close to winning their second consecutive game at home to start the Stanley Cup Final. That would have put them in control against the Florida Panthers as the series shifts to the other side of the continent. Advertisement Instead, Panthers winger Brad Marchand scored the decisive goal on a breakaway at 8:05 of double overtime of Game 2 to hand the Oilers a 5-4 loss on Friday night and even the matchup. The goal came after Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm missed the net on a one-timer from the top of the circle to facilitate the clear-cut chance. It also came after Leon Draisaitl backchecked vigorously to obstruct Marchand's stick, which, despite his best efforts, might have inadvertently contributed to the puck squeaking through goalie Stuart Skinner's legs. 'It's a tough one to swallow, but it's not supposed to be easy,' veteran Oilers winger Corey Perry said. 'They played hard tonight. They got their chances, and they capitalized on that one. That's the difference.' Shots favored Edmonton 46-42 in a game that lasted nearly four and a half periods. It was evenly played, with Natural Stat Trick tracking the high-danger chances at five-on-five at 16-15 in favor the Oilers. Kasperi Kapanen had the Oilers' best chance in extra time. The Oilers would have been in a much more jovial mood if his tip of a Viktor Arvidsson pass had beaten Sergei Bobrovsky in the second overtime, 55 seconds before Marchand's winner. 'The chances missed, you can think about it, dwell on it. But what's it going to do?' Perry said. 'It's not going to do anything for you now.' Perry's goal with 17.8 seconds left in the third period put the Oilers into next-goal-wins territory. He outmuscled the Panthers' Eetu Luostarinen to get to a rebound and beat Bobrovsky to get the latest game-tying goal in Stanley Cup Final history. He also gave the Oilers a chance at their eighth third-period comeback in the playoffs, which could have matched an NHL single-year record. An eighth comeback victory would have equaled the franchise playoff marks set in 1987 and 1991. Advertisement Instead, the Oilers lost their first overtime contest this spring after claiming the first four — on three goals from Draisaitl and another from Kapanen. It was also the first time they've ever lost an extra-time game in the Cup Final. They'd previously won all four of their attempts, with Jari Kurri (1987), Petr Klima (1990), Fernando Pisani (2006) and Draisaitl (Game 1 this year) netting the pivotal goals. 'There's going to be some disappointment,' Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. 'But we've had the mentality, no matter what happens — bad game, close game, overtime, heartbreaking, easy, whatever it is – we put it behind us and we get ready for the next one. 'You learn in the playoffs, things don't always go your way. Sometimes it works in your favor, sometimes it doesn't.' Friday night provided a contrast to Game 1, when the Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit, tied the score in the third and got a goal from Draisaitl on a power play in the last minute of the first overtime period. 'Each game could've went either way,' Knoblauch said. 'When you win the first one, you're disappointed you don't follow up and win the second one. But we're going there with a split and that's fine with us.' They're fine with it, but they're not thrilled with it. Aside from the missed chances, there were other factors the Oilers will want to address. The power play was 1-for-6 and allowed a Panthers goal when Marchand, the overtime hero, scored on another breakaway, which gave the Panthers a 4-3 lead in the second period. They'll also have to improve when it comes to dealing with pesky Panthers forwards around their net. In Game 1, Sam Bennett fell into Skinner after some contact from defenseman Brett Kulak, and a shot hit him and went in. The Oilers challenged for goaltender interference and were unsuccessful, and the Panthers scored on the subsequent power play. Advertisement In Game 2, Bennett was in Skinner's kitchen again, toppling into him midway through the first period after a nudge from Ekholm. This time, Bennett was penalized as Skinner remained down and needed some attention from Oilers head athletic therapist T.D. Forss. Then, in the second period, longtime nemesis Matthew Tkachuk was guided into Skinner as a point shot from former Oiler Dmitry Kulikov headed toward the net. The puck beat Skinner, and the Oilers opted not to challenge. 'We know they have players that want to drive the net,' Oilers defenseman John Klingberg said. 'It comes to us trying to box out earlier. But we're trying to drive the net, too. 'They're a high-shooting volume team and, if you are that, they're bringing people to the net as well.' There are things to clean up. Things that could have been better. Factors that might have led to a better result. 'It's very close out there. It's not a lot of room and ice out there,' Klingberg said. 'But we battled back, scoring that goal got some momentum, had some good chances in overtime as well as them. It's a bounce here and there.' The Oilers easily could have improved to 14-2 in their last 16 games and taken a stranglehold on this series. Instead, they'll have to take solace in a split. 'At this time of year, you've got to move on,' Draisaitl said. 'There's no time (spent) thinking about it too long. It stings right now, but we have to move on.'
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Letters to Sports: Dodgers must figure out their injured pitcher problem
Injured Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws in the outfield at Dodger Stadium before a game against the New York Mets on June 4. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) The Dodgers now have 15 pitchers on the injured list. This team, with all of its talent, is going nowhere without frontline pitching. Andrew Friedman realized this when he emptied Fort Knox during the offseason. But, like previous seasons, they are dropping like flies, with shoulder and forearm issues. Other MLB teams don't seem to have these issues, at least not to this degree. Advertisement At what point do we begin to look at the training staff, starting with pitching coach Mark Prior? What is it that he's asking (and teaching) these guys to do with their arms, to get that extra 'something' out of them? Too often that extra something becomes nothing at all. Rodger Howard Westlake Village The underperforming, injury-plagued — and very well-paid — Dodger pitching staff illustrates the true financial advantage of big-market teams willing and able to spend. Yes, the Dodgers can afford to sign and pay frontline players, but, just as important, they can also afford to set aside or simply eat the contracts of those expensive players if they become hurt or ineffective, and replace them with additional highly (over)paid players. It's almost a lock that, if their staff isn't healthier and more reliable come August, the Dodgers will probably trade for pitching help and take on even more salary. Small-market teams such as the Reds, Guardians and Pirates can't sign many top-tier players in the first place, let alone replace them if they don't pan out. John Merryman Redondo Beach Instead of spending hundreds of millions on pitchers to sit on the injury list for the majority of every year, I recommend the Dodgers instead allocate those funds to put nine All-Star offensive players in the lineup. Then just do what the team always winds up doing anyway — rely on inexpensive, lower-tier and journeyman pitchers for the season. Advertisement Jerry Leibowitz Culver City Time to say goodbye It's about time that the Dodgers separate from Clayton Kershaw. Yes he has been with them forever, and was very good. But that was then, not now. The Dodgers separated from Chris Taylor, and Austin Barnes, long-term team members, now it's time to do the same with Kershaw. Deborah R. Ishida Beverly Hills Dear Clayton, It's time to say goodbye. Injuries have taken their toll. Don't ruin what has been a first-ballot Hall of Fame career by performing at a level that is a shadow of yourself. It's been a great run, but you are hurting the team. 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Recruit and coach a team to beat them. Don't look for a way to claim success by running away from them. Jay McConnell Los Angeles USC football coach Lincoln Riley makes excuses why his team can't or won't play Notre Dame. I think the truth is he's scared to play Notre Dame because he feels overmatched. USC lost to Notre Dame in 2023 and 2024, and Riley can't handle another loss. Advertisement Neil Snow Manhattan Beach Verdict on Bauer There are two subjects I hope never to read about again in The Times' Sports section: 1. The 2017 Houston Astros.* 2. Trevor Bauer. Jim Lawson Santa Barbara Night terrors Got an unused night light? Send it to Mookie Betts. Mike Eberts Los Feliz The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Email: sports@ Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.