Larry Bird Breaks Silence to Defend Caitlin Clark: “You Protect Your Stars. Or You Don’t Have Any Left”

In a rare and fiery statement, NBA legend Larry Bird has called out the WNBA’s silence following a brutal shove on rookie phenom Caitlin Clark. The incident, which saw Clark pushed to the floor by Marina Mabrey while recovering from an uncalled eye poke, sparked outrage online—but no action from the league.

“That wasn’t basketball,” Bird said. “That was cowardice in a jersey.” Watching from his Indiana home, Bird slammed the WNBA’s failure to issue a fine, suspension, or even a statement. Clark later missed three games with groin pain from the hit.

“They’re not trying to outplay her,” Bird warned. “They’re trying to outlast her.”

Bird, who battled through physical play in the 1980s, sees a league failing its most valuable asset. “They’re building a league off her name,” he said, “and they vanish when she’s targeted.”

As #ProtectCaitlinClark trends and frustrations mount, Bird’s warning echoes loudest: “Build around her. Or explain why you let the league fall apart.”

Caitlin Clark remains silent. But the message is deafening.