Colin Cowherd Urges Caitlin Clark to Step Up Despite Multiple Record-Breaking Games

The Caitlin Clark that fans across the world wanted to see is back. After spending a year on the sidelines, cheerleading and babysitting for her teammates and coaches, her basketball prowess has returned.

The 24-year-old did come into this season with some anxiety over how she would handle herself mentally. She revealed that managing her emotions through those injuries was a difficult task.

Even though she managed to get her rhythm back playing for USA Basketball at the FIBA regional qualifiers, the WNBA is an entirely different ballgame.

It was evident when she had an average season-opener by her standards. But since then, the point guard has elevated her performance to the point where her Indiana Fever and the WNBA, along with its network partners, have to post her latest records.

Those numbers-shattering performances have left her fans excited. They know she is back at her best and will only improve from here on. However, Colin Cowherd wants her to take the next step.

When is she gonna start winning at the next level? She has not won a playoff series yet. My take is, she has her Pippen, Kelsey Mitchell… This is not hating on Caitlin Clark. But the stage of ‘Wow, who’s the new kid?’ I’m done with that.

Colin Cowherd said on The Herd

"The stage of – Wow! Who's the new kid? – I'm done with that. That was Taylor Swift's self-titled album. Then it was 'Fearless', which crushed her self-titled album. I need 'Fearless'."@colincowherd argues it's time for Caitlin Clark to reach the next level of greatness pic.twitter.com/CpCDmCWXr2

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 18, 2026

The longtime analyst was trying to suggest that he found it great that Caitlin Clark was shattering records. But at the same time, he wants her to elevate her game and move to the tier where she can be associated with greatness.

Colin Cowherd wants Caitlin Clark to be Michael Jordan-esque

While discussing Caitlin Clark’s record-shattering performances, Colin Cowherd then moved on to offer a comparison to explain what he is looking for.

That was Taylor Swift’s self-titled album… Then it was ‘Fearless’, which crushed her self-titled album. I need ‘Fearless’. This is great, I’ve seen the stats… But there are stages to greatness. I’ve always felt her game is Steph(en) Curry. I think she has a chance to be Jordan-esque.

Colin Cowherd said

The 62-year-old first compared her current performances to those of the past, and to her favorite musical artist, Taylor Swift‘s self-titled album. Even though that was great in itself, the pop star hit it out of the park with ‘Fearless.’

Cowherd wants Clark to elevate herself to do the same. He believes she is currently the best shooter in basketball, but wants her to move up to the Michael Jordan tier.

That means he is expecting championships, MVPs, and other accolades to follow. That, to him, is how the Iowa native can fulfill her potential as one of the all-time greats.

Caitlin Clark argued with her defensive coach in the last game

Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever are now sitting on a 2-2 record. One of the reasons for that record has been their inability to close out games that were within striking distance.

The season-opening loss to Paige Bueckers‘ Dallas Wings was the first time fans and analysts realized the team is struggling defensively. Then they won their second game convincingly, which led Clark to believe their defense was in good shape.

In Game 3, they received a rude awakening after Sonia Citron‘s Washington Mystics usurped the Fever in overtime. The two-time All-Star is still sore about those extended minutes and vowed to get better defensively as a team.

They did do so against the Seattle Storm, but that team is struggling to play good basketball. No wonder Clark was seen having a heated discussion with defensive coach Briann January.

Caitlin Clark with heated exchange with defensive coach and then gets up and goes to sit somewhere else. Mind you, defense has been putrid. pic.twitter.com/e0rMQXTyjy

— CCFC-New season (@sohali2012) May 18, 2026

She has seven All-Defensive selections to her name, which is why the organization brought her in to shore up that area.

Caitlin Clark does not hold grudges, especially with her teammates and staff. Therefore, this argument might be nothing more than the two pushing each other to get better as a team.

Also Read:

• A’ja Wilson Sets Multiple WNBA Records During 45-Point Domination
• Paige Bueckers’ Head Coach Tears Into Team After 2nd-Straight Loss: “There’s Selfishness in This Locker Room”