Caitlin Clark led the Indiana Fever to a 100-93 victory over the Dallas Wings on Sunday.

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes was absent from the game. Instead, Swoopes was replaced by Nancy Lieberman as the Wings’ co-commentator.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Texas Tech alumnus Sheryl Swoopes participates in Alumni Weekend at the Texas Tech-Baylor game on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at United Supermarkets Arena. (PICTURE)

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believed Swoopes was removed from the broadcast because of her personal feelings toward Clark.

“What I think is a burden – it’s just my opinion – but what is even more a burden for someone like Sheryl Swoopes, who by the way was supposed to be commentating on the game with all of you yesterday and didn’t commentate on the game,” Smith said on a recent episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”

“And no doubt it had something to do with the fact that Caitlin Clark, when she appeared earlier this week, didn’t want to talk about it at all.”

Smith is referring to when Clark scored 31 points with 12 assists in the Fever’s 100-81 win over Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky last week.

“We know that, and we know that on television as well as I do. I know what producers do, I know what bosses do, when you see your personal feelings, whatever they let into the proceedings and compromise your position as a professional.”

WNBA HALL OF FAMER SHERYL SWOOPS RELEASES SCREENSHOTS OF ALLEGED TEXT MESSAGES WITH CAITLIN CLARK LEAKS: ‘I MADE A MISTAKE’

Sheryl Swoopes speaks during the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium at the FedEx Forum in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, January 20, 2020. (PICTURE)

Bally Sports Southwest had no comment to Fox News Digital about Swoopes’ absence from the broadcast. The Dallas Wings did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Swoopes made false statements about Clark’s college career and statistics during an appearance on “Gil’s Arena,” a podcast with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas in February.

Swoopes said Clark stayed in college for five seasons and made over 40 shots per game while talking about how Clark broke the NCAA record for most basketball points ever during her senior year in 2023.

In fact, Clark only played four seasons and averaged only 22.7 shots per game en route to that record.

CHICAGO SKY PLAYER FOULTS CAITLIN CLARK TO THE GROUND AND THEN POSTS THE HATE COMMENTS SHE RECEIVED ONLINE

On Monday, Swoopes released the apology text message she sent Clark to X following February’s comments.

“Hey Caitlin, I wanted to reach out to you personally and tell you I was wrong about what this is like for you, the COVID year has left me completely confused,” Swoopes wrote. “I also have nothing but respect for you and your game and appreciate your skill. Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished so far. Be blessed.”

The other screenshots show Clark thanking Swoopes for reaching out and for her contributions to the WNBA. Swoopes said she appreciated Clark and her game and told her to “keep being great!”

Swoopes notably left out Clark as a reason for the Fever’s recent improvement in an August episode of her podcast “Queens of the Court.” Swoopes only praised Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull.

However, Clark was the team’s leading scorer during the winning streak and is already one of the WNBA’s top scorers.

CAITLIN CLARK BEATS FEVER FRANCHISE RECORD, INDIANA CROSSES .500 WITH WIN

Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark (No. 22) brings the ball up the court during the first half against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on August 30, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Fever started the season 1-8 and have since moved to a 16-8 record. After Sunday’s win, they are above .500 for the first time all season at 17-16.

Smith responded to Swoopes’ statements on the episode, saying the Hall of Famer was “crazy to do something like that.”

“Do you have any idea what this makes you look like?”

Swoopes replied via X.

“You talk about whoever and whatever you want on your podcast. Is that true? Then why can’t I? And did you listen to the ENTIRE episode? NO! I have a personal relationship with these players and they deserve recognition too.”

Smith said Swoopes’ basketball skills made her weaknesses or her praise for Clark seem personal.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Texas Tech graduate Sheryl Swoopes attends the Texas Tech game against Baylor on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at United Supermarkets Arena. (PICTURE)

“But I think in the case of Sheryl Swoopes – and I’m not going to belabor this point – it’s important to make it clear that Sheryl Swoopes is a winner. She was great and has phenomenal basketball talent.”

“What she doesn’t realize is that if she doesn’t state the obvious, it’s automatically assumed that it’s something personal because we know you know the game of basketball, the game of basketball, too well to ignore the kinds of things that she ignores when it comes to Caitlin Clark.”

The Fever’s next game is on Wednesday away against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.