Caitlin Clark joining NBC's 'Basketball Night in America' pregame show ahead of Lakers-Knicks
NBC is adding arguably the biggest name in basketball to its coverage team just in time for one of the season’s most anticipated matchups. In a move that bridges the gap between the WNBA’s exploding popularity and the NBA’s return to the network, Caitlin Clark has been announced as a special contributor for "Basketball Night in America." The Indiana Fever superstar will make her debut this Sunday, joining the pregame festivities ahead of the marquee showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The network’s decision to bring Clark into the fold coincides with the launch of its "Sunday Night Basketball" package, a cornerstone of the NBA’s new media rights deal that kicked in for the 2025-26 season. Clark will not be relegated to a minor role; she is set to join a studio team stacked with Hall of Fame talent. She will sit alongside host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady, offering her perspective on the modern game as the Lakers look to make a statement at The Mecca.
NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood highlighted Clark’s status as a "captivating" figure in the sport, noting that her basketball IQ makes her a natural fit for the analyst desk. For the NBA, having Clark analyze a game featuring LeBron James and the Knicks adds a layer of crossover appeal that few other personalities could provide. The synergy is undeniable, as Clark has frequently cited the influence of NBA legends on her own playstyle, and now she will be breaking down their film in real-time.
This appearance is not a one-off engagement. Clark is already scheduled to return to the "Basketball Night in America" desk on March 29, when the Knicks host the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the WNBA offseason currently extended due to ongoing collective bargaining talks, Clark’s pivot to broadcasting keeps her in the spotlight while bringing a fresh, analytical voice to the NBA’s national stage. As NBC looks to re-establish its dominance in professional basketball broadcasting, adding a generational talent like Clark to the roster ensures that all eyes will be on the pregame show this Sunday.
The network’s decision to bring Clark into the fold coincides with the launch of its "Sunday Night Basketball" package, a cornerstone of the NBA’s new media rights deal that kicked in for the 2025-26 season. Clark will not be relegated to a minor role; she is set to join a studio team stacked with Hall of Fame talent. She will sit alongside host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady, offering her perspective on the modern game as the Lakers look to make a statement at The Mecca.
NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood highlighted Clark’s status as a "captivating" figure in the sport, noting that her basketball IQ makes her a natural fit for the analyst desk. For the NBA, having Clark analyze a game featuring LeBron James and the Knicks adds a layer of crossover appeal that few other personalities could provide. The synergy is undeniable, as Clark has frequently cited the influence of NBA legends on her own playstyle, and now she will be breaking down their film in real-time.
This appearance is not a one-off engagement. Clark is already scheduled to return to the "Basketball Night in America" desk on March 29, when the Knicks host the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the WNBA offseason currently extended due to ongoing collective bargaining talks, Clark’s pivot to broadcasting keeps her in the spotlight while bringing a fresh, analytical voice to the NBA’s national stage. As NBC looks to re-establish its dominance in professional basketball broadcasting, adding a generational talent like Clark to the roster ensures that all eyes will be on the pregame show this Sunday.
