Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho has sharply criticized Caitlin Clark's effort following the Indiana Fever's 86-84 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. Clark made costly late mistakes in regulation time and overtime that opened the door for Aces' Chelsea Gray to play hero, hitting two buzzer-beaters — one to force overtime and another to hand Las Vegas a stunning win. 1:18:03 Acho specifically pointed to Clark's play on the final possession of regulation, which allowed Chelsea Gray to hit a buzzer-beater to force overtime.
"Caitlin Clark, last possession, (with) Chelsea Gray, that shot could have been blocked if you would have sprinted your bu*t back there and made an effort, but you didn't," Acho stated on the "Speakeasy" show. "You flailed, attempted to draw a foul, and as a result, Chelsea Gray splash, bucket, Aces win. I don't care nearly as much about the turnover as I do the pi*s-poor effort by Caitlin Clark. Not getting her bu*t off the ground."
Acho further elaborated on Clark's perceived lack of urgency, contrasting it with teammate Kelsey Mitchell's hustle. "Turnovers happen, you know this," Acho said. "After the turnover, why does she (Clark) not get back in frame? You will make a mistake in your life, you will fall down quite literally. Get your bu*t up and sprint. Look at Kelsey Mitchell sprinting. Where's Caitlin Clark? Get in the frame."
The former linebacker also suggested that such efforts could lead to internal team conflict. He referenced a previous instance where Clark appeared disgruntled after Aaliyah Boston did not take a shot from her. "This is how internal beef on the team starts because Caitlin Clark, two games ago, she throws a ball to Aaliyah Boston. Aaliyah Boston doesn't shoot it; she dribbles it, ref calls it travel. It may have been three games ago. Caitlin Clark looks to Aaliyah (disgruntled)."
Acho argued that Clark's expectations of her teammates might be misaligned with her own actions. "Caitlin, you make a mistake like this; none of your teammates are doing none of that. So, Caitlin, when your teammates make mistakes, you are the first one on national television to expose their mistake. I've watched you do it." He added, "But Caitlin, when you miss two free throws, then the game goes into overtime because you miss two free throws and then you turn the ball over. The whole world knows it's your fault."
Clark, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and earned Rookie of the Year honors, has taken responsibility for the loss. "This can’t happen," Clark said. "Those are free throws I usually make. Certainly frustrating. Obviously, one of them gives us a two-possession lead, and I kind of cost my team there for sure. So that’s on me.”
The Indiana Fever, currently eighth in the WNBA standings with a 19-12 record, are on a two-game losing streak and are slated to face the Chicago Sky on Saturday. Despite being on track for the playoffs, the team aims to finish the regular season strongly. However, she has yet to play a playoff game with the Fever and will aim to achieve that goal this season. 5 2026
Not getting her bu*t off the ground."Acho continued to hammer Clark for her lack of effort in the game."Turnovers happen, you know this," Acho said (Timestamp – 1:20:51) .
However, she has yet to play a playoff game with the Fever and will aim to achieve that goal this season.ALSO READ: "He's not talented enough to win big": Colin Cowherd makes feelings known on Baker Mayfield after turning down reported $100M+ Buccaneers offerALSO READ: NFL Cornerback Efficiency Tiers: Breaking Down the
