If Sue Bird were still playing in the WNBA, there’s one team and, more specifically, one player she would not want to see in the playoffs: the Indiana Fever and first overall pick Caitlin Clark.

The praise didn’t stop there. Former WNBA MVP Candace Parker, now an analyst and part-time broadcaster, agreed wholeheartedly during a postgame show.

“Sue’s right,” Parker said. “Caitlin’s a nightmare because she forces you to make choices you don’t want to make. She stretches the floor, manipulates defenders, and sees things before they happen. That’s next-level stuff.”

Meanwhile, fans and analysts alike are already buzzing about what the future holds. With Clark establishing herself as not just a rookie sensation but a legitimate superstar, the WNBA’s next era may have arrived sooner than anyone expected.

Attendance is up, ratings are soaring, and the league’s visibility is reaching unprecedented heights — thanks in no small part to the Iowa-born phenom Bird has dubbed “a playoff nightmare.”

The four-time WNBA champion and 13-time All-Star offered a warning to other teams in the league during a recent episode of her podcast with Megan Rapinoe, “A Touch More,” saying that Clark’s dominance in her rookie year makes her a big threat in the playoffs.

Sue Bird looks on prior to the game between the United States and South Africa at Soldier Field on September 24, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.  (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

“What I’ve learned in my WNBA experience is pace of play trumps physicality, it trumps size, it can trump experience,” she began.

“In 2018 and 2020, the years we won, that was our whole mantra – pace, pace, pace, pace. And what I see in Caitlin, what I see in Kelsey Mitchell, they’re just ramming it down people’s throats. And it’s really hard – it can have your head spinning.”

Bird said that Clark continues to impress this season, and it’s not something she expects to see trail off any time soon.

“She’s gonna break records nonstop for the next couple of years. It’s just going to be a constant record break.”

But just as she predicts that Clark will continue to grow, Bird said that players in the league should expect the same.

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Mercury on July 12, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.   (Justin Casterline/NBAE via Getty Images)

“The only thing that I find most interesting is at the start of the season everybody had their panties in a twist over Caitlin getting picked up full court and Caitlin being denied, and what I’m not surprised by is naturally during a WNBA season, teams and players start to get a little tired, you’re kind of in the doldrums of the every day or every other day is a game and it’s hard to keep that discipline to guard a player like that. So, I’m not surprised it dropped off.”

Those comments instantly exploded across social media, where fans and analysts echoed Bird’s sentiment — and opponents, quietly, seemed to agree.

After a historic rookie season that shattered records and brought in record-breaking viewership numbers, Clark’s transformation into a postseason powerhouse has taken the basketball world by storm.

Her ability to control the floor, drain logo-range threes, and deliver pinpoint passes under pressure has made her both a highlight machine and a tactical nightmare for defenders.

Bird, who knows better than anyone what it takes to win in October, praised not just Clark’s offensive brilliance, but her composure. “What impresses me most isn’t the stats — it’s her poise.

Most rookies in the playoffs start forcing things when the lights get brighter. But Caitlin? She slows the game down. That’s veteran stuff. That’s championship DNA.”

Clark recently broke the WNBA’s rookie assists record, and Bird believes that the numbers the former Iowa star is putting up midseason are because she’s adjusting well to the physicality of the game and playing smarter.

“She’s definitely getting used to it which is, you know, trouble for everybody else that’s why I don’t want to see her [in the playoffs].”

Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, reacts in the game against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Clark has scored at least 20 points in five of her last six games. She is averaging 23.7 points on 47% shooting from the field, and 11.7 assists over that span. Indiana has one game this week at Minnesota on Saturday as the team looks to continue to solidify a playoff spot.

Sue Bird, one of the most respected figures in basketball history, has officially joined the chorus of voices hailing Caitlin Clark as the future of the WNBA — and she’s not holding back. In a fiery new interview that’s sent shockwaves across the league, the four-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist called Clark “a playoff nightmare” and warned that every team in the league should be on high alert.

“This kid’s the real deal,” Bird declared, speaking during an ESPN panel discussing the WNBA postseason. “Caitlin Clark isn’t just adjusting to the pro game — she’s changing it. Her vision, her range, her confidence… She’s the kind of player who keeps coaches up at night. If you’re not game-planning for her like you would for a Finals MVP, you’re in trouble.”

Indeed, Clark’s performance so far in her first WNBA playoffs has been nothing short of astonishing. In her debut postseason series with the Indiana Fever, the 22-year-old averaged 28 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds per game, leading the team to its first playoff appearance in nearly a decade. Her ability to rise to the moment — especially in tight, high-pressure games — has silenced critics who doubted whether her collegiate dominance would translate to the pros.

And while Bird’s praise was glowing, it came with a warning — not for Clark, but for everyone else. “She’s just getting started,” Bird said. “Once she figures out the physicality and the defensive schemes teams are throwing at her, it’s over. The league has about one more season before she starts taking over completely.”

That prediction sent WNBA fans into a frenzy. One fan tweeted, “When Sue Bird calls you a nightmare, you’ve officially made it.” Another added, “Sue Bird doesn’t hype people easily — if she says Caitlin Clark is trouble, I believe it.” Even current players weighed in, with Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray commenting, “Facts. She’s already dictating defenses. You can’t teach that.”

Behind the compliments, however, lies a growing sense of unease among Clark’s opponents. Coaches across the league have reportedly been dissecting hours of film to find ways to contain her — but so far, few have succeeded. Her ability to read defenses and exploit mismatches makes her nearly impossible to scheme against. One assistant coach from a Western Conference team told The Athletic, “You can’t trap her, because she’ll find the open shooter. You can’t go under screens, because she’ll pull up from 30 feet. You can’t switch everything, because she’ll dissect you. She’s a nightmare matchup, plain and simple.”

Bird also addressed the intangible factor — the mental and emotional gravity Clark brings to the game. “She’s fearless,” Bird said. “You can’t coach that. When a player has that kind of confidence and skill combined, it changes how everyone else plays — her teammates get bolder, opponents get tighter. It’s psychological warfare, and Caitlin’s already mastered it.”

The numbers back it up. During this postseason run, Clark has led the league in clutch-time scoring, shooting over 50% from three-point range in the final five minutes of close games. Her ability to thrive under pressure has drawn comparisons to the likes of Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird herself, and even NBA legends who made their names in the postseason spotlight.

Fans are already speculating about what Clark’s rise means for the balance of power in the WNBA. The Fever, once considered a rebuilding team, are now being discussed as legitimate contenders for years to come. With Clark leading a young, hungry roster, Indiana’s future looks brighter than ever. “They’re building something scary,” Bird said. “If the front office surrounds her with the right pieces — a true rim protector, some consistent shooters — they’ll be a problem for a long time.”

But Bird also took a moment to push back on some of the scrutiny Clark has faced during her rookie year — particularly the criticism about media attention and player dynamics. “People love to say she’s overhyped,” Bird noted. “But here’s the truth — you don’t get this kind of coverage unless you’ve earned it. She’s backing it up on the court. That’s what matters.”

Her remarks struck a chord with fans who have watched Clark navigate immense pressure, media scrutiny, and even moments of tension with opponents. Despite all that, she’s maintained her composure, focusing on her game and letting her play speak louder than any headline. Bird’s endorsement — coming from one of the sport’s most respected voices — felt like a symbolic passing of the torch.

As the Fever continue their playoff journey, the sense of anticipation grows. Can Clark lead her team all the way? Bird believes it’s only a matter of time. “Maybe not this year, maybe not next — but mark my words,” she said with a knowing smile. “Caitlin Clark is going to win championships in this league. And when she does, nobody will be surprised.”

If that prophecy comes true, Sue Bird’s warning to the rest of the WNBA will go down as more than just a hot take — it’ll be a glimpse into the unstoppable rise of a new basketball legend.