Caitlin Clark Joins NBC's 'Sunday Night Basketball' Pregame Show

The Indiana Fever star will contribute to NBC's coverage of the Lakers-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:47pm

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NBC has announced that Caitlin Clark, the star player for the Indiana Fever, will join the network's pregame coverage for its debut of 'Sunday Night Basketball' this weekend when the Los Angeles Lakers play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Clark, who has a large following in the basketball world, will be a 'special contributor' and join the 'Basketball Night in America' studio team of host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady.

Why it matters

Caitlin Clark is one of the most prominent figures in women's basketball and her addition to NBC's pregame coverage is a significant move to bring more star power and visibility to the women's game. Her appearance on the network's new 'Sunday Night Basketball' showcase is an opportunity to reach a wider audience and continue to grow the profile of the WNBA.

The details

Clark, who was the WNBA's No. 1 draft pick in 2024 and won rookie of the year, will join the 'Basketball Night in America' crew for pregame commentary ahead of the Lakers-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. She has done some TV work before, including a cameo on 'Saturday Night Live' in 2024, and NBC is confident she will thrive in this new role, with executive producer Sam Flood saying 'a basketball court is her second home.'

  • Clark will join NBC's pregame coverage this Sunday, January 29, 2026.
  • She is also scheduled to appear in another pregame role on March 29, 2026 when the Knicks visit the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The players

Caitlin Clark

A two-time WNBA All-Star and the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Clark is one of the most prominent figures in women's basketball with a large following. She was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2024 and became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history while at the University of Iowa.

NBC Sports

The television production division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, which is producing the new 'Sunday Night Basketball' coverage that will feature Caitlin Clark.

Maria Taylor

The host of NBC's 'Basketball Night in America' studio coverage, which will include Caitlin Clark as a special contributor.

Carmelo Anthony

A Basketball Hall of Famer who is an analyst on NBC's 'Basketball Night in America' studio team.

Vince Carter

A Basketball Hall of Famer who is an analyst on NBC's 'Basketball Night in America' studio team.

Tracy McGrady

A Basketball Hall of Famer who is an analyst on NBC's 'Basketball Night in America' studio team.

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What they’re saying

“I'm really excited to be part of the Basketball Night in America crew this season. Carmelo, Vince, and Tracy are legends of the game and Maria is a true professional. It will be really fun to join them a few times this season.”

— Caitlin Clark (NBC)

“There's no more iconic figure in basketball in the women's game right now, or the game in general. So, we said, 'let's have a bigger conversation.'”

— Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports (The Associated Press)

What’s next

It's unknown if Caitlin Clark will address WNBA labor matters during her debut appearance on NBC's pregame coverage, but the network is 'hoping to have Caitlin with a basketball in her hand' as part of the broadcast.

The takeaway

Caitlin Clark's addition to NBC's 'Sunday Night Basketball' pregame show is a significant step in bringing more visibility and star power from the women's game to a major national NBA broadcast. Her large following and on-camera charisma make her a natural fit to join the network's all-star analyst team and connect with a wider audience.