Caitlin Clark led the Indiana Fever to a 100-93 victory over the Dallas Wings on Sunday.

Missing from the game was WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. Swoopes was replaced by Wings commentator for the game, Nancy Lieberman.

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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smtih believes Swoopes was removed from the show due to her personal feelings towards Clark.

“In my opinion — and this is just my opinion — that puts even more of a burden on someone like Sheryl Swoopes, who, by the way, was supposed to be commentating on the game with you guys yesterday and she didn’t,” Smith said on a recent episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”

“And no doubt it had something to do with the fact that when Caitlin Clark came out earlier this week, she didn’t want to talk about it at all.”

Smith was referring to Clark scoring 31 points and dishing out 12 assists in the Fever’s 100-81 win over Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky last week.

“We recognize that, and we know that on TV, and so do I. I know what producers do, I know what executives do, when you see your personal feelings, whatever they may be, infiltrating the proceedings and undermining your standing as a professional.”

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Bally Sports Southwest did not comment to Fox News Digital when asked about Swoopes not being on the broadcast. The Dallas Wings did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

In February, during an appearance on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, Swoopes made false statements about Clark’s college career and stats.

Swoopes said Clark played in college for five seasons and attempted more than 40 shots per game, discussing how Clark broke the all-time NCAA record for points scored in college basketball during her senior year in 2023.

In fact, Clark played just four seasons, averaging 22.7 shots per game en route to breaking the record.

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On Monday, Swoopes posted an apology text message she sent to Clark following February’s comments to X.

“Hey Caitlin, I wanted to reach out to you personally and let you know I was wrong about what kind of year it’s been for you, the COVID year has completely confused me,” Swoopes wrote. “I also have nothing but respect for you and your game and I appreciate your skills. Congrats on everything you’ve accomplished so far. Be blessed.”

Other screenshots show Clark thanking Swoopes for reaching out and for her contributions to the WNBA. Swoopes said she appreciated Clark and her game and told her to “keep being great!”

Swoopes, on an August episode of her “Queens of the Court” podcast, pointedly omitted Clark as a reason for Fever’s recent improvement. Swoopes only praised Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull.

However, Clark was the team’s leading scorer during its winning streak and is already one of the WNBA’s all-time leading scorers.

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The Fever started the season 1-8 and have since gone 16-8. With Sunday’s win, they are over .500 for the first time all season (17-16).

Smith responded to Swoopes’ statements on the episode and said it was “crazy” for the Hall of Fame member to do that.

“Do you have any idea what this makes you look like?”

Swoopes turned to X for an answer.

“You talk about whoever and whatever you want on your podcast. Right? So why can’t I? Also, did you listen to the ENTIRE episode? NO! I have a personal relationship with these players and they deserve recognition too.”

Smith said Swoopes’ basketball talent makes her disrespect for or praise of Clark seem personal.

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“But I think in the case of Sheryl Swoopes, and I won’t dwell on this point, but it’s important to say that Sheryl Swoopes is a winner. She was great and has a phenomenal basketball mind.”

“She doesn’t realize that if she doesn’t say something obvious, it’s automatically going to be taken as personal because we know you know the game of basketball, the game of basketball, too well to ignore the things that she ignores when it comes to Caitlin Clark.”

The Fever’s next match will be away to the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday.

Jackson Thompson of Fox News contributed to this report.

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