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Caitlin Clark steals the spotlight on NBC in first TV appearance before Knicks–Lakers

Caitlin Clark wins praise on her NBC debut, offering pre-game analysis at Madison Square Garden ahead of the Knicks–Lakers NBA matchup.

By Surjosnata Chatterjee

Feb 02, 2026 12:19 IST

Caitlin Clark made a confident transition from the court to the studio on Sunday night, drawing widespread praise during her first appearance as a television contributor on NBC’s NBA coverage.

The Indiana Fever guard joined the network’s pre-game show at Madison Square Garden ahead of the New York Knicks’ matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. NBC confirmed earlier this week that Clark would serve as a special contributor during select NBA broadcasts this season.

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Clark appeared alongside host Joy Taylor and NBA greats Carmelo Anthony and Reggie Miller, offering analysis and reflections during a 10–15 minute segment that quickly caught the attention of viewers.

Fans praise Clark’s on-air presence

Reaction on social media was swift and overwhelmingly positive. Viewers described Clark as “a natural on television” and said she looked comfortable breaking down the game in a studio setting. Some suggested broadcasting could be part of her future once her playing days end, while others joked that she had already appeared live on NBC more often than Michael Jordan.

During the segment, Clark touched on several topics, including the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining agreement discussions and her first impressions of Madison Square Garden. She also revealed that Luka Dončić is her favourite NBA player.

Clark, 24, noted that she has never played at MSG but said she would like to see the WNBA’s New York Liberty host a game at the iconic Manhattan venue instead of Barclays Center. In a pre-recorded feature aired during the broadcast, she also took part in a shooting challenge against former NBA scorer Jamal Crawford, emerging victorious.

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NBC said Clark is scheduled to make additional appearances this season, including on March 29 when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Knicks.

Clark’s move into television comes after an injury-hit 2025 WNBA season. Following a standout rookie year in which she averaged 19.2 points and won Rookie of the Year honours, her second campaign was disrupted by quad, groin and ankle issues, limiting her to 13 games. Despite her absence, the Fever reached the playoff semifinals before losing to the eventual champions, the Las Vegas Aces.

She is expected to return to action when the WNBA season tips off on May 9, with Indiana set to open against the Dallas Wings.

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