Caitlin Clark’s secret to sidestepping on-court drama

Caitlin Clark reveals the way she avoids on-court drama.

During a Nov. 3 appearance on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, the 24-year-old Indiana Fever guard laid out her strategy for sidestepping conflict on the hardwood.

“And I try to honestly, like, do my best, to like, just act like I can’t hear,” Clark said.

She explained that the tactic is rooted in a real physical condition.

“I have really bad hearing to start with; I like ruptured my eardrums multiple times, so like, you get permanent hearing loss, but I just try to act like I can’t hear.”

The result, she said, is that the silence frustrates opponents more than any verbal response would.

“That makes them more mad,” Clark added.

The admission came during a wide-ranging conversation in which Clark also rejected the label of a “trash talker.”

“I don’t even think I really am,” she said.

“Like, I feel like I only get like really hype.”

She gave an example of the kind of comment she considers acceptable.

“Say I make like three 3s in a row, I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, like you can’t guard that,’ or something like that but like, in a fun way.”

Clark, known for her spirited and aggressive on-court demeanor, made clear that her approach is not about being passive.

She said she will not hesitate to defend herself if provoked.

“I mean, if somebody says something to me, I’ll probably go back,” Clark said.

But she added that such situations are rare.

“The people I talk to the most is the (referees), which I need to do better at.”

“People don’t really talk trash to me,” Clark said.

“I like that to be honest, like I want you to say something to me.”

The revelation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of the WNBA’s biggest stars manages the mental side of the game.

Clark averaged a career-high 22.3 points and 8.3 assists per game during the 2026 season, earning her third All-Star selection and her second All-WNBA First Team nod.

Her ability to stay focused amid the noise has become a hallmark of her game.

On the podcast, Clark also discussed her offseason plans.

She said she is getting “back to work.”

The WNBA star reflected on her third year in the league in an Oct. 22 Instagram post, weeks after the Fever lost to the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.

Indiana fell in the decisive Game 3, 94-83, after evening the series on Sept. 29.

“Thankful for a season of being healthy and doing what I love, had so much fun this year, but now it’s back to work :),” Clark wrote.

“…and lots of really cool shoes still on the way.”

Her offseason is already off to a strong start.

On Oct. 1, Nike released her signature shoe, the “Caitlin 1.”

She also published a children’s book titled “EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams,” based on her life.

While her day-to-day schedule remains unclear, Clark will likely continue her golf journey in her downtime.

She may also catch a Kansas City Chiefs game or two with Taylor Swift.

Both women were recently spotted at the Chiefs’ Oct. 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium.

Clark’s on-court approach has drawn praise from fellow players.

Olivia Miles, the 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year, recently appeared on the “Old Man and the Three” podcast and discussed what makes Clark difficult to guard.

“Obviously, Caitlin with the shooting and her playmaking ability,” Miles said.

“She’s so good with her right hand attacking downhill and creating for others, and obviously in transition she’s deadly.”

“So it is annoying to play against, right?” Miles said.

“You’ve got to guard her, and you’ve got to make sure that you have bodies on her.”

Miles averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for the Minnesota Lynx, earning unanimous Rookie of the Year honors.

The two young stars have met once in a WNBA game.

Miles scored 28 points with eight assists.

Clark produced 19 points and 10 assists in a 108-100 loss.

Miles described games against Clark and other star guards as “exciting” and “fun.”

“The young guards, I think, they’re really impressive and really hard to guard,” Miles said.