‘You should be ashamed,’ says Matt Barnes as former NBA star slams Indiana Fever players for ‘not protecting’ Caitlin Clark

FORMER NBA star Matt Barnes has launched a tirade against the Indiana Fever.

The 44-year-old former NBA champion accused Fever players of failing to protect “star asset” Caitlin Clark.

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Rookie sensation Clark was involved in a viral incident with Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter on Saturday.

Carter aggressively defended Clark as she waited for a pass in the Fever’s 72-71 victory, knocking the 22-year-old to the ground.

“This isn’t just a basketball play,” Clark said ESPN after the game, as the WNBA world came together to condemn the foul.

“But, you know, I have to play this. That’s what basketball at this level is all about.”

Since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft, Barnes says Clark has been a “target” for other teams.

“Throughout the season, she was beaten,” Barnes he told the All The Smoke podcast.

“Hard screens, elbows, takedowns. It is what it is – she’s not the first, she won’t be the last.

“My problem and my question is: where the hell are your teammates?

“Where are you guys? Where’s the rest of the Indiana Fever?”

Clark was helped to her feet after Carter’s push by Fever center Aliyah Boston.

But Barnes is not convinced senior Fever members are doing enough to help the newcomer.

“I saw some girls smile mischievously when she was knocked down, mischievously to catch her,” Barnes continued.

“Like, you guys are supposed to protect the asset, protect the star.

“And even though this is a team, you always protect your star. I was someone who protected the stars.”

Barnes spent 14 seasons in the NBA and became a champion for the first time in 2017 with the Golden State Warriors.

A fourth-round pick in 2022, he played alongside Kobe Bryant for the Los Angeles Lakers and had stints with the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.

“Are you kidding Kobe, [Chris Paul]Blake [Griffin]the list goes on, it’s going to be a problem,” he added.

“You guys are supposed to be a family. And you wonder why you’re at the bottom of the league right now, it’s because you guys don’t have each other’s back, man.

“The coach doesn’t do anything about it, the players don’t do anything about it. You should be ashamed of this.”

The Fever returned to action in New York on Sunday night.

Clark only scored 3 points. Indiana was eliminated by the New York Liberty.

The loss drops the Fever to 2-9 on the WNBA season, while the Liberty improve to 7-2.