Caitlin Clark to serve as an NBC analyst ahead of Lakers-Knicks game

Wondering what Caitlin Clark thinks about the confusion surrounding Austin Reaves’ impending return to the Lakers roster? Or what if Jeanie Buss turned on LeBron James? Or what if she has nothing but praise for Luka Doncic?

Tune in to the Lakers’ game against the New York Knicks in the debut of “Basketball Night in America” ​​on NBC Sports Sunday night to find out. Clark, the wildly popular WNBA star, will serve as an analyst on the pregame show, starting at 3 p.m. PT, one hour before tipoff.

If Reaves returns Friday or Sunday after missing a month with a left calf strain, it would be just the seventh time the guard has played with James and Doncic. This may be the first topic addressed by Clark, who will join the studio team that includes Maria Taylor and three former NBA stars: Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

Expectations that Reaves would take the floor Wednesday in a nationally televised game against the Cleveland Cavaliers grew Tuesday when ESPN insider Shams Charania posted on X that the Lakers guard would be “available to return to the lineup on Wednesday.”

Moments later, however, the post was deleted without explanation and the Lakers’ injury report says Reaves is out.

Clark might stick to praising Doncic, given that the NBA superstar guard complimented her play in 2024, saying “she’s the female Steph Curry. She can shoot better than me.”

Clark, who attended Iowa, is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history. In two seasons with the Indiana Fever, she was named WNBA Rookie of the Year and is a two-time All-Star despite missing much of the 2025 season with a serious groin injury.

“Caitlin is one of the most captivating players and one of the most dynamic scorers in basketball,” NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have Caitlin join Hall of Famers Melo, Vince, Tracy and Reggie in New York for the launch of Sunday Night Basketball.”

The Lakers-Knicks game will begin a doubleheader that also includes the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Denver Nuggets.