WNBA greats Nancy Lieberman, Sheryl Swoopes sever friendship over Caitlin Clark feud
Nancy Lieberman and Sheryl Swoopes have called it quits on their friendship.
The two WNBA legends — and Basketball Hall of Famers — are at odds over Caitlin Clark, specifically Swoopes’ previous comments about the Fever rookie when she questioned the legitimacy of Clark’s all-time scoring record at Iowa and claimed she had a fifth year to break it.
Lieberman appeared on Sunday’s installment of “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” and explained that Swoopes got upset with her on the phone when she confronted her on the issue.
“I called her as a friend and I said ‘you can say whatever you want … but you do have to get the statistics right. I mean, facts matter … It’s ok to have a difference of opinions,” Lieberman said.
“She got upset with me on the phone and I was like, ‘Sheryl, I’m not doing anything to hurt you.’ … So our relationship pretty much is not happening at this point. I tried to talk to her at the Final Four, she didn’t want to talk to me. My life is going to be good or great with or without Sheryl Swoopes in my life. I’d rather have her in it.”
Swoopes, who’s been feuding with Smith over the Clark discourse, responded to Lieberman and said she’s better off without their friendship.
“Now here you go! I get what you trying to do wit ya boy @stephenasmith but it ain’t working,” Swoopes wrote, including a video of Lieberman discussing the situation during an appearance on Smith’s show.
“You know good and well what happened. And ditto…my life is good without you too (and him). You wanna go there?”
Swoopes has faced criticism for what many have said is her unwillingness to acknowledge Clark’s star power.
The WNBA legend previously denied that she has anything against Clark, and has complimented her game.
Swoopes also said Clark fans have acted evil towards her.
Fans began chirping online when Swoopes wasn’t on the broadcast for the Fever-Wings game on Sunday — and Lieberman was calling the game in her place.
Then, Swoopes took to X and shared screengrabs of a text message exchange with Clark, apologizing to her for her previous comments .
In a separate post, Swoopes wrote, “@stephenasmith, again, bring me on your show! With or without your backup @NancyLieberman.”
Swoopes came under fire for her previous comments about Clark during an appearance on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast in January.
