Why is Nancy Lieberman beefing with Sheryl Swoopes? A closer look at the former WNBA legends' acrimonious battle about Caitlin Clark

Nancy Lieberman revealed on "The Stephen A. Smith Show" that her friendship with fellow WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has been strained. Lieberman explained that it was due to Swoopes using false information in trying to discredit Caitlin Clark last January on Gilbert Arenas' podcast.

Speaking to Stephen A. Smith on his YouTube show, Lieberman shared how Swoopes got upset with her when she called her back in January. It was right after the three-time WNBA MVP wrongly claimed that Clark was in her fifth year and took 40 shots per game to break the NCAA scoring record.

"I called her as a friend and I said, 'You can say whatever you want. You can have your own opinion about anybody but you do have to get the statistics right.' I mean, facts matter and if you just get ahead of this and just say, 'Hey, I made a mistake on my numbers.' Then this thing is over and everybody respects you for your opinion," Lieberman said.

The Hall of Fame player added:

"She got upset with me on the phone and I was like, 'Sheryl, I'm not doing anything to hurt you. I'm just sharing, we're talking.' So our relationship pretty much is not happening at this point. I tried to talk to her at the Final Four, she didn’t want to talk to me. My life is going to be good or great with or without Sheryl Swoopes in my life. I'd rather have her in it."

Another issue arising is Lieberman replacing Swoopes on the broadcast team for the Indiana Fever-Dallas Wings game on Sunday. Lieberman pointed out how Swoopes stayed silent during a Fever game in August when her partner Ron Thulin mentioned Clark.

The four-time WNBA champion also failed to praise Clark during the Fever's recent surge but celebrated Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell. That didn't sit well with Lieberman, who thought that it was the reason Swoopes was removed from the broadcast team ahead of Sunday's game.

---

Sheryl Swoopes share screenshots of her apology to Caitlin Clark

While some members of Clark's fanbase remain livid about Swoopes' commentary about the player, the Hall of Famer shared a short conversation she had with the then-Iowa star after her false claims on "Gil's Arena."

Swoopes admitted her mistake to Clark and even congratulated her for all her accomplishments during her four-year stay at Iowa. The Fever guard had nothing but respect for the WNBA legend, who she called an inspiration for the current players and a foundation of women's basketball.

It will be interesting to see if Swoopes' commentary about Clark will change after all the issues surrounding her. Fans are still upset that she defended Diamond DeShields for her flagrant foul on the Indiana Fever star.

Some are looking forward to seeing Clark win the Rookie of the Year award. It remains an "if," although she's the heavy favorite to win despite Angel Reese's historic double-doubles.