Reggie Miller Stands By His Controversial Caitlin Clark Comparison

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 2:18 PM ET

Pacers Hall of Famer Reggie Miller was known to ruffle some feathers during his playing days — and he recently did the same as a broadcaster when it came to his viral NBA comparison for Caitlin Clark.

Appearing on NBC ahead of the network's "Sunday Night Basketball" debut last month, Reggie was asked to come up with a comp for the Indiana Fever superstar and the name that came to mind was Celtics sixth-man Payton Pritchard.

That comment was met with widespread backlash (as well as an awkward reaction from Clark). But Miller seems to believe the comparison was apt, and he's sticking to it.

Feb 1, 2026; New York, New York, USA; WNBA star Caitlin Clark (left) and NBA former player Reggie Miller broadcast on the court for NBC before a game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images© Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Reggie Miller doubles down on Caitlin Clark comparison

Appearing on the "Dan Patrick Show" Tuesday," Reggie stood by his Clark-Pritchard comp. Telling the legendary sports talk host that their respective games are "very similar" despite the difference in fanfare and accolades.

"The question from Maria [Taylor] to me was 'Who does her game remind you of?' It wasn't a question of historically, or stature-wise, who is she compared to. Because if that was the case, obviously she has brought so much attention to and eyes [to the W] like a Stephen Curry," Miller said.

"So if that was the question, then I probably should've said Stephen Curry," Reggie admitted. "But I was going by game alone, like who does her game remind you of? And when I look at Payton Pritchard... they're very similar. ... I was comparing the games guys. Not the stature of Caitlin Clark."

"I was going by game alone, like who does her game remind you of? And when I look at Payton Pritchard... they're very similar."

– Reggie Miller on comparing Caitlin Clark to Payton Pritchard. (@Nutrafol) pic.twitter.com/nH0ak5itZn
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 3, 2026

Celtics legend calls Miller's Caitlin comp 'an embarrassment'

Not long after that Reggie segment aired, Celtics legend Paul Pierce joined the " No Fouls Given" podcast to call the Caitlin-Payton comp "an embarrassment."

"She had the look of like, 'Bro, I was thinking more Steph Curry ,' because of her magnetic pull. They're not doubling him everywhere, face-guarding, denying him like they do her, like they do Steph. Did you see her in the USA game, where they were picking her up full?" Pierce asked on Feb. 2.

"He doesn't lead the team in scoring," the The Truth added. "I love Payton, that's my little brother. Her gravitational pull is on the same level as Steph's in the WNBA."

It's still hard to see where Reggie's Pritchard comparison came from, but it's his opinion and he's sticking to it. Shoutout to Payton Pritchard though, he's had a great past couple of seasons.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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