It appears there’s no animosity between WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark and veteran Diana Taurasi, despite earlier warnings from Taurasi about the realities of the league. During the Fever’s surprising 88-82 victory over the Mercury, the two were seen sharing a lighthearted moment on the court.
Taurasi seemed to say something that made Clark laugh, sparking a wholesome interaction that fans enjoyed. “Finally a player in the league that likes her!!!!!” one fan quipped, referring to the warm reception Clark received compared to some other veterans.
Another fan playfully dubbed it “GOAT talking to baby GOAT,” celebrating the exchange between the 42-year-old Taurasi and the 22-year-old Clark, highlighting their respective statuses in the league.
The Fever rallied from 15 down to beat the Mercury 88-82 at Footprint Center this weekend
“Finally someone who isn’t jealous,” another fan chimed in. Clark showcased her skills with an impressive performance on Sunday, contributing 15 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds as Indiana rallied from a 15-point deficit to secure a victory over the Mercury at Footprint Center. Her all-around contribution underscored her impact and potential in the league.
The first on-court meeting between Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, marked a significant moment. Taurasi had previously commented on Clark’s transition to the pros back in April, emphasizing the challenges and levels of competition in the league.
“Reality is coming, there’s levels to this thing,” Taurasi had told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter, discussing Clark’s move to the WNBA. “And that’s just life, we all went through it… You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds but you’re going to come [play] with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”
She acknowledged the learning curve for rookies entering the league: “Not saying it’s not gonna translate, because when you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better. But there is gonna be a transition period, where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.”
Despite these words of caution, the on-court interaction between Clark and Taurasi during their first meeting seemed to reflect a positive and supportive atmosphere between the two players.
Clark was criticized by Taurasi back in April before she was even drafted by the Fever
Taurasi warned the rookie was in for a ‘reality’ check when she joined the WNBA
Taurasi is the holder of the all-time WNBA scoring record, surpassing 9,000 points in 2023
Diana Taurasi later reiterated her stance on Caitlin Clark’s transition to the WNBA, noting the sensitivity of Clark’s fans to her earlier comments. In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Taurasi remarked, “The new fans are really sensitive these days. You can’t say anything.”
She drew parallels to educational transitions, likening Clark’s move to the pros to progressing from kindergarten to first grade or from high school to college.
Taurasi defended her previous remarks, stating, “I don’t think I said anything that’s factually incorrect. Like anything, greatness is going to translate. And she’s proven that at every level. I don’t see why that’s going to be any different in the WNBA.”
Despite the initial cautionary words, Taurasi acknowledged Clark’s talent and potential for success in the league based on her previous achievements.
