Paige Bueckers calls out expectations placed on Caitlin Clark amid Fever star's shooting slump: 'It's inhumane'

Caitlin Clark's second season in the WNBA hasn't gotten off to the best start. Injuries and spotty shooting from beyond the arc have resulted in slightly diminished numbers for last year's Rookie of the Year.

Clark's three-point shooting in away games, in particular, has received plenty of attention. Clark is just 1-for-28 from beyond the arc in away games to start the year. She's downplayed those struggles, and believes her shots will start falling soon.

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That level of scrutiny Clark has faced during her tough stretch, however, has not gone unnoticed around the league. Dallas Wings rookie — and 2025 No. 1 overall pick — Paige Bueckers spoke about how Clark manages lofty expectations, saying the amount of pressure people put on Clark to be perfect every night is "inhumane."

"She handles it with grace. The pressure that she's put on every single night to perform at the level that she does, it's inhumane, really, to expect people to be perfect and to not have off games or off nights. If she doesn't go 8-for-10 from three, people are questioning things. It's unfair to have to deal with that."

Bueckers should be able to relate to some of that. She's been touted as a future WNBA superstar since the moment she stepped foot on the court at UConn as a freshman. Bueckers hasn't faced the same level of scrutiny in the WNBA just yet, though she has yet to struggle since joining the league. Over 12 games, Bueckers is averaging 17.7 points and 5.8 assists.

Injuries could be the reason for Clark's struggles from long range to open the season. Following a rough shooting performance vs. the Seattle Storm, Clark missed the Fever's next game due to a groin injury.

Her status is uncertain with the Fever set to take on the Wings on Friday. WNBA fans eager to see the last two No. 1 overall picks square off might have to wait a while longer depending on Clark's injury.

While a Bueckers-Clark matchup is enticing, it's in Clark's best interest to get back to full health before she returns to action. If she can do that, it shouldn't be long before she's back to her sharpshooting ways, and the early-season slump is behind her.