What did Larry Bird say about Caitlin Clark? Fact-checking alleged comments from NBA legend on WNBA star

Daniel Chavkin

What did Larry Bird say about Caitlin Clark? Fact-checking alleged comments from NBA legend on WNBA star image

Caitlin Clark and Larry Bird have a lot in common as two basketball stars from the Midwest, at one point based in Indiana. And as Clark's rivalry with Angel Reese has gotten bigger, it's gotten compared to Bird's rivalry with Magic Johnson in the 1980s.

Therefore, it's logical that fans have wanted to get Bird's thoughts on Clark's success, especially as Clark plays for a Fever team that is located in the same state where Bird was raised. However, Bird has largely stayed out of the spotlight when it comes to the WNBA rising star, even as she moved to Indiana.

So, what exactly has Bird said about Clark's rise to stardom and rivalry with Reese? Here's what is true and what is not.

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What did Larry Bird say about Caitlin Clark?

While there have been viral quotes about Clark that have been attributed to Bird, the truth is that the NBA Hall-of-Famer hasn't said much about the WNBA point guard.

These quotes are taken out of context in YouTube clips and have been included in videos posted by accounts such as Ball Affairs and Hoops Central. These videos include headlines that are misleading to users and have caused confusion on social media about the validity of what Bird said. 

Bird, who grew up about two hours outside of Indianapolis, currently works as a consultant for the Pacers, a team that has the same ownership group as the Fever.

As a result, Bird's professional connection to the Fever organization makes it unlikely that he will make strong public comments about Clark. Additionally, the 68-year-old Bird has never been one to comment on beefs after his retirement, and he probably won't start now.

MORE: How Caitlin Clark injury has negatively impacted get-in cost for Fever vs. Sky

Larry Bird current job

In 2023, Bird joined the Pacers organization as a consultant to their basketball operations.

The former Celtics star initially joined the organization close to his hometown after retiring from the NBA. He first coached the Pacers from 1997-2000, then served as the team's president from 2003-12 and 2013-17. Since then, he has scaled back his work with the organization, leading to being a consultant now. 

MORE: When will Caitlin Clark return from injury?

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.