Sandy Brondello on Why Caitlin Clark Is a Nightmare to Defend
When you think about the biggest headaches for WNBA coaches, Caitlin Clark’s name probably comes up pretty fast. And that’s exactly what former New York Liberty coach — and now Toronto Tempo head coach — Sandy Brondello recently opened up about.
Brondello, who led the Liberty to their first-ever WNBA championship in 2024, shared a refreshingly honest perspective on Clark’s game during an episode of Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird. She admitted that defending Clark is one of the toughest tasks any coach can face in today’s league.
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Now, let’s rewind a bit. Back in June 2025, the Liberty were riding high on a 9-0 start to the season when they traveled to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Fever. They had already beaten the Fever once that season, but things were very different this time. Caitlin Clark was on fire — and she made sure the defending champs felt every bit of her offensive power.
In that game, Clark exploded for 32 points, her season-high, hitting 11 of 20 shots from the field and an impressive 7 of 14 from beyond the arc. One stretch stood out in particular — she nailed three consecutive three-pointers in just 38 seconds. The Fever took full advantage of that momentum and ran away with a 102–88 win, handing the Liberty their first loss of the year.
That game seemed to mark a turning point for New York. From that moment, things started to spiral. The Liberty stumbled through the rest of the season, finishing 17-18 over their final 35 games before being eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the playoffs. And soon after that early exit, Sandy Brondello’s time with the Liberty came to an end.
But Brondello didn’t stay away from the sidelines for long. She’s now taking charge of the Toronto Tempo, a new challenge and a fresh start. During her podcast appearance, she reflected on what makes Caitlin Clark such a unique problem for defenses. “Caitlin Clark is really hard to guard when she’s healthy,” Brondello said. “She can shoot it from way out, but she can also pass it. She gave us a handful this year.”
It’s clear that Clark’s combination of deep shooting range and elite playmaking is redefining how defenses have to plan. And as Brondello prepares to face her again with the Tempo, it’s safe to say she’ll be crafting a very different game plan next time around.
For now, though, her comments just remind everyone why Caitlin Clark isn’t just a star — she’s a strategic challenge that keeps even the best coaches up at night.
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