Charles Barkley calls out Caitlin Clark’s critics: ‘Give her flowers’

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley defends Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.

Before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, Barkley called out Clark’s “mean” criticism within the WNBA.

“You women are all petty, man… You should all thank (Caitlin Clark) for getting you (exhaustive) private charters,” Barkley said on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” noting “all the money and exposure it brings to the WNBA.”

It’s unclear who Barkley is referring to, but the broadcaster mentioned comments from Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who denounced the “animosity and hatred” directed at Clark and his son Bronny James during an appearance on his podcast “Mind the Game” on Wednesday.

‘ROOTING CAITLIN CLARK’:NBA superstar LeBron James expresses support for Caitlin Clark

“Don’t get me wrong, don’t be swearing. Caitlin Clark is the reason a lot of great things are going to happen for the WNBA,” James said. “There are a very small number of men and women who are actually living their dream of playing professional sports. And we have grown men and women here who are doing everything they can to try to make sure that It’s not happening. It’s the strangest thing in the world.”

Later Wednesday, Barkley said James was “100% right about these girls hating Caitlin Clark.” He added, “What she accomplished, give her her flowers…Caitlin Clark, thank you for bringing all this money and brilliance to the WNBA.”

Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, was drafted out of Iowa by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in April and Clark’s popularity has reverberated throughout the WNBA . Clark’s regular-season debut, for example, drew an average audience of 2.13 million viewers, becoming the most-watched WNBA game in nearly 23 years.