Paige Bueckers Defends Caitlin Clark from ‘Inhumane’ Pressure from Critics

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are leading the WNBA into a new era, but also receive criticism from fans demanding perfection.

Paige Bueckers Defends Caitlin Clark from ‘Inhumane’ Pressure from Critics

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers have been good friends since their days playing for Team USA’s junior teams, as well as college rivals. Now that the latter has become a WNBA player, the two are set to resume their clashes.

Bueckers has seen how the Iowa star came in with a lot of fanfare, and subsequently saw a lot of criticism as well. Most of it was from fellow players, both past and present, as they believed Clark had not done anything to garner such fame.

Fast forward to 2025, and most of those critics have quietened down after the Indiana Fever superstar blitzed the league in the latter half of her rookie season. Those critics have been replaced with others who believe the point guard is not performing to what is expected of her.

Admittedly, Caitlin Clark has shot poorly from the three-point range in her last 3 games, shooting 1-23 in those games. After 2 of them resulted in losses, some fans criticized the star for not helping the Fever win. When talking about handling criticisms, Paige Bueckers said this about Clark:

She handles it with grace. The pressure that she’s put on every single night to perform at the level that she does. It’s inhumane to expect people to be perfect, to not have off games…. it’s unfair. I know she’s a great person at handling it.

Paige Bueckers said

The Dallas Wings star reiterated that it is not correct to expect a player to be perfect. Every player goes through a slump, and so does Clark. Bueckers knows her college rival will handle the noise well, but hopes fans understand the pressure can be too much.

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark’s 1st WNBA clash might not happen

After Paige Bueckers was drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings, demands for tickets to their 1st game against the Indiana Fever soared. This forced the franchise to lease out the much larger American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks.

Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark in college
Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark in college (Image via Open Source/X)

Despite the additional seats, demand for tickets to that game continued to rise, and it soon became the most expensive game of the season. However, there is a risk of it not happening at all, after Caitlin Clark was ruled out of their game against the Los Angeles Sparks with a groin injury.

She is listed as day-to-day, which means there is a chance that those fans who paid $3000 for courtside tickets might be able to watch the two college rivals resume their battles. However, the Fever might decide against it if they believe their most important player needs rest.

To appease fans, Clark could play on restricted minutes. But considering how she has suffered injuries in quick succession, the franchise might shut her down completely until she is ready for the run to the playoffs.

Paige Bueckers believes Caitlin Clark should get a signature shoe next

Before coming into the WNBA, Paige Bueckers signed a multi-year extension with Nike. Many fans felt that deal would transform into a signature shoe anytime soon. However, the Dallas Wings guard does not believe she should get the next signature shoe.

Napheesa (Collier) is one that definitely deserves a signature shoe. She’s been dominating these past few years. Then Caitlin (Clark), of course. It’s just what she’s done for the game, how many eyes she’s brought, obviously, what she does on the court at a high level.

Paige Bueckers said

The 23-year-old’s belief about Napheesa Collier getting a signature shoe stems from their UConn and Minnesota connection. Collier has been lighting up the league and is leading the MVP race, and is primed to be the 1st Jordan Brand WNBA player to get a signature shoe.

When it comes to Nike, Bueckers hopes Caitlin Clark gets the next one. Her shoe is already in the works, and the sneaker giant is scheduled to release her logo and exclusive clothing line later this year. The signature shoe is expected to release in 2026.

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