Diana Taurasi Silences Caitlin Clark Rivalry Talk With Latest Comments
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Before Caitlin Clark was even drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever two seasons ago, she seemingly had a target on her back.
Clark, who many considered to be the most-hyped-up female college basketball player in the sport's history, was just weeks away from transitioning from the University of Iowa to the WNBA, where most expected her to dominate much like she did at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
But many of the league's top stars appeared to take exception to Clark's golden-girl treatment, with some making it clear they had their sights set on humbling the two-time Associated Press Player of the Year.
Recently retired Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi was among them, and during an appearance on "SportsCenter" she hinted to host Scott Van Pelt that Clark was in for a rude awakening after she was drafted.
"Reality is coming," Taurasi said in an ominous warning to Clark and college basketball's other top stars making the jump to the WNBA. "You look superhuman playing against 18 year olds but you're going to come with some grown women who've been playing professional basketball for a long time."
Clark ended up being the one to humble Taurasi after her near-unanimous Rookie of the Year win, as well as being an All-WNBA first-team selection and finishing fourth in MVP voting while breaking dozens of WNBA, rookie, and Fever records.
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Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury drives against guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the game at Footprint Center on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Fever defeated the...
Guard Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury drives against guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the game at Footprint Center on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Fever defeated the Mercury 88-82. MoreBut in the months since Taurasi retired, she and Clark have seemingly buried the hatchet in their not-to-serious rivalry.
During a recent interview with FanSided, Taurasi admitted her and Clark have gotten quite close since her rookie year, seemingly ending any speculation that the 11-time All-Star and three-time WNBA champion still had any animosity toward the Fever phenom.
"We get along really well," Taurasi told FanSided. "We got some great interactions. I just absolutely love what she does on the court, off the court. When I watch her play, and the way she goes about her business, there's a seriousness about it that I love.
"... You know, she's taking this game to new heights and it's been amazing to watch and follow her. You know, it's only going to get better for our league and for Caitlin."
Diana Taurasi on Caitlin
'Me and Caitlin are really good friends. We get along really well…I just absolutely love what she does on the court, off the court…the way she goes about her business there's a seriousness about it that I love. She's taking this game to new heights.' pic.twitter.com/iS5hCIYD2l — correlation (@nosyone4) August 2, 2025
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Clark and Taurasi seemed to squash any beef they had back in April during her appearance on "The Bird & Taurasi Show" during the WNBA Playoffs.
Clark congratulated Taurasi on her retirement following an impressive 20-year WNBA career that included two WNBA Finals MVPs, 10 All-WNBA first-team selections, and five scoring titles. Taurasi accepted the well-wishes while also taking a self-deprecating jab at herself.
"Now unfortunately, reality is coming to me now," Taurasi joked.
In three games head-to-head last season, Clark's Fever bested Taurasi's Mercury all three times. Clark averaged 21.3 points, 11.6 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game, while Taurasi averaged 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in two appearances.
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