Caitlin Clark was prepared to confront Reggie Miller after he compared her to an nba role player

What was meant to be a light-hearted and celebratory guest appearance on NBC’s Basketball Night in America turned slightly uncomfortable on Sunday, as an unexpected comparison from Reggie Miller appeared to catch Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark off guard.

Clark joined the broadcast ahead of the launch of Sunday Night Basketball, with the New York Knicks preparing to face the Los Angeles Lakers. As one of the most recognisable faces in basketball right now, her presence on the show felt like a natural fit. However, a moment involving Miller, the Pacers legend and longtime NBC analyst, quickly became the main talking point.

During the segment, Miller was asked which current NBA player he believed best mirrored Clark’s style of play. While many viewers anticipated a comparison to an established superstar — names like Stephen Curry, Jalen Brunson or James Harden seemed obvious possibilities — Miller went in a different direction altogether. The response appeared to land awkwardly, especially judging by Clark’s immediate reaction.

Miller initially set a positive tone by offering praise for Clark and her impact on basketball in Indiana. Jokingly ranking shooters in the state, he placed Clark at the top, followed by Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, before himself. The comment drew laughs and reinforced Clark’s growing stature as a generational shooter.

But the mood shifted when host Maria Taylor pressed Miller for an NBA comparison. Rather than referencing one of the league’s elite stars, Miller named Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard.

“I like Payton Pritchard from Boston,” Miller said, explaining that he admired Pritchard’s ball-handling, his ability to hit clutch shots late in the shot clock, and his confidence in big moments. Miller added that those qualities reminded him of Clark, whom he also described as fearless under pressure and destined for championship success.

While Miller’s explanation was complimentary in intent, Clark’s body language suggested she was far from impressed. Her smile faded almost instantly, replaced by a neutral, stone-faced expression that made it clear the comparison hadn’t landed as intended.

To be fair, Pritchard is far from an insignificant player. He is an NBA champion, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, and has carved out a meaningful role with one of the league’s most successful franchises. Still, by most measures, he is viewed as a high-level role player rather than a franchise-defining star.

That is where the disconnect came in. Clark, on the other hand, is one of the central figures of the WNBA, a player whose arrival has reshaped attention, ratings and expectations around the league. When healthy, she is among the most dangerous offensive talents in women’s basketball and a face of the sport’s future. Placing her in the same conversation as a role player — even a successful one — felt underwhelming given her profile and influence.

Stylistically, Miller may not have been entirely wrong. Both players rely on deep shooting range, composure in late-game situations and the ability to create shots under pressure. But context matters, and comparisons often carry an implicit hierarchy. In that sense, Miller’s choice came across as oddly deflating rather than flattering.

It’s likely Miller was simply trying to demonstrate insight and nuance, opting for a stylistic match instead of a star-to-star comparison. Even so, the moment served as a reminder of how delicate player comparisons can be, especially when discussing athletes who have already reached iconic status within their sport.

Instead of amplifying Clark’s stardom, the remark seemed to take some of the shine off what should have been a celebratory appearance. Based on her reaction, Clark clearly felt the same — and it was hard to blame her.