Move over Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Steph Curry—there’s a new name in the conversation of basketball legends, and she’s lighting up the WNBA. Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s star guard, has become the latest sports sensation, and according to longtime NBA announcer Mike Breen, her impact on the WNBA could rival that of MJ, King James, and Curry in the NBA. Yes, you read that right—this isn’t some late-night sports bar debate; Breen said it live on air.
Breen, who’s been around long enough to remember when Jordan was dunking on everyone in the 90s, dropped this spicy take during Sunday’s Knicks-Pacers game. Clark, who’s a friend of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, just happened to be sitting courtside, minding her business, while Breen compared her rookie-season impact to the most famous names in basketball history.
“During the summer, when the Indiana Fever played with Caitlin Clark, the building was packed every game,” Breen said. “The TV ratings for the Fever were higher than a lot of Pacers games because of Caitlin Clark.” Let that sink in: the Indiana Pacers—an actual NBA team—were getting outshone by a rookie from the WNBA. You love to see it.
Clark’s rookie year was nothing short of electrifying. She averaged 19.2 points and dished out a league-high 8.4 assists, while almost single-handedly dragging Indiana to the playoffs. But here’s where things get fun—her star power off the court is just as massive. Her games packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse in ways the Pacers could only dream about, and local TV ratings for the Fever soared past even some NBA games.
Breen, who’s called the rise of many a basketball great, wasn’t shy about hyping Clark’s ability to bring eyes to the WNBA: “She’s doing rating-wise for the WNBA what Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Steph Curry have been doing for the NBA,” he said. No pressure, right?
Of course, comparing Clark to three of the NBA’s all-time GOATs feels a little wild, but Breen is serious. And why not? The WNBA has been looking for a star to elevate its game to new heights, and Clark seems to be that player. Her ability to draw fans and boost TV ratings isn’t just a win for the Fever—it’s a win for women’s basketball as a whole.
So, there it is. Caitlin Clark is officially being mentioned in the same breath as Jordan, LeBron, and Curry. No big deal. Just your average day in the world of women’s basketball, where the stars are rising, and the rest of us are scrambling to keep up. Buckle up, WNBA fans—it’s about to get fun.
And if you’re an Indiana Pacers fan, well… maybe you should start buying Fever tickets.
