Monica McNutt Justifies Marina Mabrey’s Foul on Caitlin Clark, Sparks Heated ESPN Debate

Published: June 20, 2025

Indianapolis, Indiana — ESPN analyst Monica McNutt defended Chicago Sky forward Marina Mabrey after a hard foul on Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark went unpenalized during a recent game. Her remarks, made on First Take, quickly ignited a passionate conversation about league officiating and player safety.

🗣️ McNutt Responds to the Incident

During the broadcast, McNutt said she does not believe Mabrey’s contact warranted an ejection and highlighted the physical nature of WNBA play:

“The league has been physical for years. I don’t think you can say the entire WNBA is against Caitlin Clark,” McNutt explained

She also criticised the media’s framing of Clark’s treatment—arguing it overshadowed the broader context of the game

🔥 Tension with Stephen A. Smith

The debate escalated when McNutt clashed on-air with Stephen A. Smith, who argued the foul merited more attention. McNutt countered:

“You know, Stephen A., with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago.”

She added that the narrative painting the WNBA as targeting Clark was unfair to long-standing league players

🌟 Support and Backlash

McNutt’s stance received both praise and criticism:

Jon Stewart, on The Daily Show, commended her insightful analysis of the discussion
Stephen A. Smith later defended her on First Take, acknowledging her contributions and influence
Critics on social media argued McNutt downplayed a dangerous play, while others praised her for highlighting genuine league trends

🧭 Broader Implications for the WNBA

This exchange places a spotlight on complex issues within the league:

Player safety amid rising physicality
Media portrayal of emerging stars, and
The historical progression of reporting on women’s sports

McNutt emphasized that while Clark merits attention, the league’s history and its veteran athletes deserve equal recognition.

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