ESPN analyst Carolyn Peck has backtracked on her comments about Indiana being better without Caitlin Clark after coming under fire for her controversial take.

The former college basketball coach caused a stir on social media this week when she claimed that the Fever are “even more dangerous” when their 23-year-old superstar doesn’t play, having seen Stephanie White’s side accumulate a 3-1 record in the WNBA without Clark in the side as she continues her recovery from a groin injury.

That run included Thursday’s thumping 81-54 win against the Las Vegas Aces, while Clark also sat out of Indiana’s Commissioner’s Cup triumph over the Minnesota Lynx. White conceded that she may opt to sideline her for Saturday’s clash with the Los Angeles Sparks, before doing just that as the Fever narrowly lost 89-87 to end their brief three-game winning strea

Now, in the wake of yesterday’s result, Peck has received pelters for her previous comments on Indiana being better without Clark in the side, which she aired to ESPN following the franchise’s victory over the Sparks in midweek.

“Look, I think Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play because she’s a ball-dominant guard,” Peck commented, suggesting that Clark’s bench time might be spicing things up for the Fever.

On Sunday, the 59-year-old attempted to U-turn on her words, taking to X with a post that read: “I did not say Caitlin Clark is not Valuable . She’s a-great player.

“For those who only see Caitlin, I was complimenting the rest of the team. The Fever have several weapons. Yes, they lost last night. They have lost games w her. RESPECT to the WHOLE @IndianaFever team.”

Fans, however, weren’t buying Peck’s excuses, with many letting her know exactly how they felt in the comments section of her tweet as they branded her a “liar” and “disingenuous”.

“Oh please, this is so disingenuous. You said they were more dangerous WITHOUT Caitlin, how respectful is that?” slammed one user. “No. You said the Fever are better (more dangerous) without Caitlin Clark. Stand on your hate,” spat another.

A third person said: “Stop lying. You said the Fever are more dangerous without Clark. There is nothing wrong with giving the rest of the team their flowers. They are awesome, but you said what you said.”

Peck certainly wasn’t wrong when she said that Indiana boasts plenty of weapons in the form of Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, to name a few, but to say the team is better without Clark is perhaps ever so slightly a statement too far.

Last season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year still boasts impressive numbers despite missing significant time this season with multiple injuries and notably put up 32 points against the defending champion New York Liberty in her first game back from a previous quad injury.

Clark has now missed five consecutive games for the Fever as a result of her latest setback but is believed to be nearing a return. That could finally come against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, although nothing has yet to be confirmed