Fever’s Caitlin Clark receives blunt advice from Shaq about ‘rite of passage’

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever suffered a painful loss on Thursday after bowing to the Las Vegas Aces, 86-84, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Chelsea Gray buried the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to complete their come-from-behind win.

The Fever blew a 20-point lead and fell to 19-12, including 11-6 at home. The Aces, meanwhile, improved to 22-9.

Clark had 20 points, three rebounds, and eight assists. She, however, struggled from the field, shooting just 7-of-20, including 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. She also had eight turnovers. The Aces made everything difficult for Clark with their aggressive defense.

The three-time All-Star has complained about the rough defense on her. But for Shaquille O’Neal, it is par for the course for a talented player like Clark.

“All the greats have to go through what we call a rite of passage. She’s a fabulous player, but we’re not giving you anything, ever. You have to earn it,” said O’Neal in a report from CNBC Sports’ Jessica Golden.

“So for her, she needs to toughen up, take those licks, and show them that, ‘These licks don’t bother me.'”

O’Neal, who won four titles in the NBA, got hacked and hit countless times during his playing career. The Hall of Famer has often acknowledged that the rugged defense he endured made him a better player.

“Once she passes through that, the league will belong to her,” added the three-time Finals MVP.

Fever coach Stephanie White has repeatedly slammed the league’s officiating, claiming that it is “ridiculous” that opponents are being allowed to take “cheap shots” at Clark.

Clark, who has been dealing with a back injury, missed two free throws with seven seconds left in regulation and turned the ball over with seven seconds to go in overtime, allowing the Aces to escape.

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