Diana Taurasi, the seasoned Phoenix Mercury star, provided a succinct four-word response when asked about her upcoming first-time matchup against Caitlin Clark. The showdown, set for Sunday, marks a significant generational clash in the WNBA. Despite her earlier critical comments about Clark’s readiness for the league, Taurasi’s response this time was simply, “Yeah, it’ll be fun,” before swiftly moving on to another question during a press scrum.
Taurasi, now 41, has previously voiced doubts about Clark’s ability to dominate in the WNBA as she did during her time at Iowa. The two players are separated by two decades in age, with Clark now a key player for the Indiana Fever. This matchup in Phoenix is poised to be a symbolic battle between a WNBA pioneer and a rising star expected to shine in the league for years to come.
Earlier this year, Taurasi had much more to say about Clark before she was drafted first overall by the Fever. Speaking with Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter, Taurasi emphasized the challenges Clark and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso would face transitioning to the professional level. “Reality is coming, there’s levels to this thing,” Taurasi remarked, explaining that while these players appeared exceptional against college competition, the WNBA presents a whole new set of challenges. She noted the significant difference in playing against seasoned professional women compared to college athletes.
Taurasi didn’t deny Clark’s potential, acknowledging that talent will ultimately translate, but she stressed the inevitable adjustment period rookies face. “When you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better,” Taurasi said, yet she advised Clark to give herself some grace during this transition period.
Taurasi later reinforced her views, labeling Clark’s fans as “sensitive” in an interview with Jeff Metcalfe from azcentral. She elaborated on her perspective, comparing the transition to moving from kindergarten to first grade or from high school to college—each step requiring a significant adjustment. Taurasi maintained that her comments were factually correct and reiterated that greatness would indeed translate, but not without a learning curve.
Clark has already faced intense physical play in her early WNBA career, making the upcoming game even more intriguing. The match on Sunday will not only test Clark’s resilience but also highlight the differences between the old school and new school approaches to the game. Taurasi’s veteran experience versus Clark’s youthful vigor will be on full display, providing a fascinating narrative for WNBA fans.
As the league witnesses this highly anticipated matchup, the focus will be on whether the seasoned Taurasi or the promising newcomer Clark will come out on top. The game symbolizes more than just a regular season contest; it represents the passing of the torch in women’s basketball, as a legendary figure meets a potential future star.
