“I like Payton Pritchard from Boston, the way he’s able to handle the basketball. “He makes big shots when the shot clock is running down, a lot like this young lady right here. Isn’t afraid of the big moment and is a champion like she’s soon to be.” When Reggie Miller made the comment while answering which active NBA player reminded him of Caitlin Clark, it sparked widespread outrage among fans and former players.

It was a comparison no one saw coming. Very few would think to compare the Fever star with the Celtics guard, and that is not a knock on Payton Pritchard at all. But when you look at Caitlin Clark as a shooter compared to her peers, the comparison simply falls short.

But instead of taking it negatively, Caitlin Clark has clearly embraced the comparison. During Tuesday night’s Celtics–Mavericks game, Payton Pritchard knocked down a first-quarter buzzer beater, prompting Clark to jump on social media and respond with smirking emojis.

Fans immediately loved (and hated) the reaction, with social media quickly filling up the comment section. Here are some of the reactions trending online as Clark once again finds a way to win hearts.

Laughing It Off: How Caitlin Clark Owned the Pritchard Comparison

“Well played, CC,” one fan wrote. Another chimed in, saying, “You’re so funny, omggg, I’m crying laughing 😂😂😂😭😭😭😭😭.” There was no shortage of love for Caitlin Clark across social media, and it was easy to see why.

When healthy, Caitlin Clark is very much an MVP-caliber player. Even coming out of college, she was one of the biggest names in the sport, with stars like LeBron James regularly praising the Indiana Fever guard during her time leading the Iowa Hawkeyes. Clark left college as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history across both men’s and women’s basketball.

These are a few things you simply cannot associate with Payton Pritchard, especially when you consider Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA. From rising viewership and in-game attendance to increased merchandise sales and team valuations, Clark has played a role in all of it.

Seeing her take the comparison in such a playful way, instead of sulking over it, is exactly what makes Caitlin Clark special. She embraced the moment with humility, and that is why fans connect with her so deeply.

But some fans went a step further and chose to take shots at her personally. One fan wrote, “You know Payton Pritchard would fry you in a 1v1, right?” while another doubled down by adding, “Pritchard, my boy, is a thousand times better than you. More entertaining, more agile, more talented, and of course a player with many tools to contribute to the game. Boston Celtics 💚 ☘️ PP11 ☘️ 💚.”

And this is where comparisons between men’s and women’s players need more care. Caitlin Clark herself understands that the gap between the NBA and WNBA is significant in terms of physicality and overall style of play.

On the same episode of Basketball Night in America, Carmelo Anthony floated the idea that Caitlin Clark could hold her own against players from the Knicks or Lakers. Clark immediately dismissed the suggestion. It showed her self-awareness, but it also highlighted why fans constantly pushing these comparisons are missing the point.

Everyone understands the difference in level between the two leagues, and it is easy to understand why some fans felt the Payton Pritchard comparison from Reggie Miller was not completely off base. But when these discussions come up, the comparison should be made relative to her dominance among her peers in the women’s game, not against NBA players directly. That is why Carmelo Anthony likened Caitlin Clark to Luka Doncic, and why Paul Pierce compared her impact to Stephen Curry.

When we talk about impact, as one fan pointed out, “In terms of your impact in the women’s game versus his in the men’s, it’s obviously a horrible comp. That said, you could do worse than someone who’s done more with a lot less height and athleticism than Primetime P.” The discussion naturally shifts toward transformational players like Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry, who reshaped the sport itself.

Paul Pierce called the comparison embarrassing, while Sophie Cunningham recently offered her own take. Cunningham said she did not believe Reggie Miller meant any harm by it, but added, “It probably wasn’t the best comparison for the generational player that Caitlin Clark is.”

But a look at the video makes it easier to see why Reggie Miller drew the comparison between Caitlin Clark and Payton Pritchard in the first place. As one fan joked, “That comparison from Reggie looking pretty good right now, huh? 😂😂.” The Celtics went on to beat the Mavericks 110–100, but Pritchard’s performance was one of the biggest talking points of the night.

While the way he delivered the buzzer beater and finished with 26 points reminded many of how Caitlin Clark operates in clutch moments, it also reminded fans that there are some real similarities between the two. Both are crafty, hard-nosed guards with deep shooting range. Clark’s vision clearly separates her, but it is easy to see why Reggie Miller made the comparison in the first place.