Monica McNutt puts Stephen A. Smith in his place over Caitlin Clark,

Monica McNutt is getting acclaim for her appearance on Monday’s edition of First Take.

The fierce debate over Caitlin Clark’s treatment since being drafted into the WNBA has intensified since Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter hip-checked the Fever rookie following a brief back-and-forth a couple of plays before. The incident triggered a huge discussion on social media over if WNBA players are jealous of Clark and if they’re playing too physical against her.

Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon issued a statement about the incident, saying,

“Physical play, intensity, and a competitive spirit are hallmarks of Chicago Sky basketball. Chennedy got caught up in the heat of the moment in an effort to win the game. She and I have discussed what happened and that it was not appropriate, nor is it what we do or who we are. Chennedy understands that there are better ways to handle situations on the court, and she will learn from this, as we all will. As a team, we will grow together and continue to work hard to display strong leadership and set a positive example for our competitors, fans, and partners.”

ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt joined in on the conversation, which took up a significant portion of the first portion of First Take and featured a viral moment that has WNBA fans buzzing. McNutt, a staple on both NBA and WNBA broadcasts across ESPN’s platforms, argued against the narrative that WNBA players are resentful of Clark’s fame and that they’re playing physical with her purposely.

Stephen A. Smith: “Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?” Monica McNutt: “Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to.”

Towards the end of the conversation, as host Molly Querim attempted to toss to break, Smith said, ” We’re talking about them maximizing their great potential. And because we bring that up and talk about what potentially might get in their way, which we do to men all the time. Now we got to sit up here and watch every syllable. I resent that.”

McNutt responded, saying, “Welcome to the world of being a woman, Stephen A and how you have to dance about your word choice and you have to please everybody and anybody as you navigate your being.”

Smith cut in, saying, “How about being a black man?”

McNutt continued in her statement, “There are so many layers in this conversation around the way that it’s being discussed…And yes, Shannon, I know y’all are going to say, you know, and Stephen, I know you’re going to, you just shared that you’ve talked about the WNBA on your program too. You guys may not have said everybody. But the prevailing sentiment for folks that are just joining the WNBA and following women’s sports is unfair to the women of this league, to your point, who have laid the groundwork for Caitlin Clark to come in and now take it to the next level. That’s all I’m saying in these conversations. Chennedy Carter’s behavior is not indicative of the entire league. We are still talking about competition where you are allowed to get a little extra elbow in. If you are competing and you do it within the parameters of the game. The game is physical. Caitlyn is helping to grow the league. These women understand that, but she cannot be babied as a rookie.”

Smith then responded, “All right. Who talks about the WNBA? Who talks about women, who talk about women’s sports more, more than First Take?”

McNutt’s response both shocked the panel and sent social media into a frenzy.

“Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to.”

The segment on First Take drew rave reviews from WNBA fans for McNutt’s adept debate skills on X.

“Monica McNutt deserves a damn raise !! She was being tagged team by Shannon/Stephen A. the whole show and she HELD HER GROUND. They spent 40 minutes (!!!!!) discussing this, which is definitely the most First Take has EVER covered the W in the show’s history,”

“Monica McNutt may not ever be seen on First Take again. She called out Stephen A. by telling him he just recently started spotlighting the WNBA since Caitlyn Clark came into the league. Shannon unknowingly proved her point by telling her that she is proving SAS’ point,”

“when Monica McNutt said welcome to the world of being a black woman and the first thing out their mouth was what about about being a black man let’s you know they weren’t listening to a got d*mn thing she was saying,”

“Why is he lying? He said who talks WNBA more than him/First Take? Like it’s ok to be new to something, but why are folks trying to pretend they’ve been here? We all see what topics each other has been talking about. WBB wasn’t one of them for SAS. Be serious now,” posted notable basketball commentator and NBC Sports personality

“S/o to Monica McNutt this morning for not backing down and saying what needs to be said. What happened in the Fever/Sky game between Carter/Clark is not indicative of the entire league and the WNBA should have been covered more extensively before by folks who had the platforms,” posted journalist

“Monica Mcnutt absolutely shredded Steven A and Shannon Sharpe on the WNBA and Caitlin Clarke topic. as a man…Let me be the 1st to say sometime we have to shut up&let women speak/lead when it comes to subject matter involving women….Monica and Molly cooked today,” posted

Regardless of where anyone sits on the topic, it’s surely a great debate and makes for great TV. And, Monica McNutt has grown her profile even more for her adept retorts to the critiques of the WNBA amid Clark’s arrival.