Swoopes vs. Lieberman: WNBA Legends Clash Over Caitlin Clark and the Fallout
A longstanding friendship between WNBA icons Nancy Lieberman and Sheryl Swoopes has come to an abrupt and public end, with the rift centering around rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The two Basketball Hall of Famers have found themselves at odds over Clark’s impact on the league, leading to a highly publicized feud that has captivated fans and media alike.
The tension between the two legends boiled over during the 2024 WNBA season, with Swoopes expressing skepticism about Clark’s record-breaking achievements at Iowa. She questioned whether Clark’s scoring milestone was legitimate, hinting that Clark had the benefit of an extra year to achieve it. Lieberman, however, has been a staunch supporter of Clark, frequently praising her contributions to the league, particularly her role in revitalizing the Indiana Fever.
Their differing views came to a head when Lieberman appeared on “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” where she discussed the strain on her relationship with Swoopes. Lieberman revealed that a phone conversation with Swoopes about Clark had turned sour, leaving their friendship in tatters. “My life is going to be good with or without Sheryl Swoopes,” Lieberman declared, signaling that she had come to terms with the potential end of their friendship.
Nancy Lieberman on the Stephen A Smith Show discussing how she called Sheryl Swoopes to discuss her comments on Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/bSIvI3TVvw
— correlation (@nosyone4) September 2, 2024
Swoopes quickly fired back on social media, accusing Lieberman of trying to manipulate the narrative alongside Stephen A. Smith. “Now here you go! I get what you trying to do wit ya boy Stephen A. Smith but it ain’t working,” Swoopes tweeted, making it clear that she was unfazed by the fallout. She added, “And ditto…my life is good without you too (and him). You wanna go there?”
Now here you go! I get what you trying to do wit ya boy @stephenasmith but it ain't working. You know good and well what happened. And ditto…my life is good without you too(and him). You wanna go there? https://t.co/puXmIfjy56
— Sheryl Swoopes (@airswoopes22) September 2, 2024
The feud has not only exposed the deep divisions between the two legends but also highlighted Clark’s growing influence in the WNBA. Since the league’s return from the Olympic break, Clark has led the Indiana Fever to a remarkable 6-1 record, propelling them into the playoffs for the first time in over five years. The Fever’s resurgence under Clark’s leadership has only fueled the debate, with fans and analysts alike taking sides in the Swoopes-Lieberman divide.
As the WNBA playoffs approach, the spotlight remains on both Clark’s on-court brilliance and the ongoing drama between Lieberman and Swoopes. What began as a disagreement over a rising star’s legacy has evolved into a full-blown war of words, with no signs of reconciliation in sight.
