“Cowardly. Pathetic. A disgrace to the game.” — Larry Bird Slams Marina Mabrey’s Hit on Caitlin Clark, Exposes WNBA’s Silent Crisis

In a rare but fiery public statement, NBA legend Larry Bird has broken his silence—and ignited a firestorm across the basketball world. Speaking about the controversial hit that Marina Mabrey delivered to Caitlin Clark during a recent WNBA matchup, Bird didn’t hold back.

“Cowardly. Pathetic. A disgrace to the game,” Bird declared. “And what’s worse? The silence coming from the league.”

The incident, which went viral within hours of airing, shows Mabrey delivering what many fans are calling an “unnecessary and dangerous hit” on Clark as she attempted to cut through the lane. Though no ejection or suspension was issued, the play has drawn massive criticism—especially after Bird’s intervention.

Bird, a basketball icon who rarely speaks on WNBA affairs, said he felt “compelled” to address the matter not only because of his Indiana roots and support for Clark but because of what he sees as a deeper cultural problem brewing in the league.

“This isn’t just about one hard foul,” Bird continued. “It’s about how we protect players, how we uphold the integrity of the game—and how the WNBA responds when its stars are targeted.”

While fans erupted with support for Bird’s stance, the WNBA has remained notably silent. No statement has been released regarding either the hit or Bird’s comments, prompting some to accuse the league of turning a blind eye to growing tensions on the court.

Former players and analysts have also weighed in. WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson tweeted:

“When Larry Bird speaks, people listen. And right now, the league needs to answer.”

Clark, who has already faced a season riddled with aggressive defense and controversial fouls, has not commented publicly on the Mabrey incident. But fans believe the league’s inaction is setting a dangerous precedent.

Social media exploded after Bird’s comments aired on a local Indiana sports network. Hashtags like #ProtectCaitlin and #WNBAAccountability began trending within minutes, with many echoing Bird’s call for change.

“It’s not about favoritism. It’s about fairness,” one fan posted. “You can’t grow the game if you let it be ruled by intimidation.”

Bird’s final warning during the segment sent a clear message to the WNBA’s leadership:

“You want to grow this league? Then act like it. Stand up for your players. Or risk losing the fans who believe in the future of women’s basketball.”

Whether the WNBA will respond remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Larry Bird has entered the conversation, and in doing so, he may have just changed it forever.