What happens when a seasoned legend underestimates an emerging star? Diana Taurasi thought she had it all figured out, but the game that followed would leave everyone, including her, second-guessing her judgment. Caitlin Clark was a powerhouse in women’s college basketball, consistently dominating the court for four seasons and leading her team to the National Championship. Yet, even with her phenomenal track record, doubts lingered as she prepared to step into the WNBA.
Before being drafted by the Indiana Fever, Taurasi voiced these doubts in a memorable exchange while on air with Scott Van Pelt. When asked about the challenges Clark might face as she transitioned to the professional arena, Taurasi’s response caught many by surprise. She cautioned, “Look, SVP, reality is coming. There’s levels to this thing, and that’s just life. We all went through it. You see it on the NBA side and you’re going to see it on this side. You look superhuman playing against 18-year-olds, but you’re going to come with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time. Not saying that it’s not going to translate, but there is going to be a transition period where you’re going to have to give yourself some grace as a rookie, and it might take a little bit longer for some people.”
Beyond the statistics and accolades, there is something almost intangible about witnessing Clark’s brilliance firsthand. Like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Shohei Ohtani, and Patrick Mahomes, Clark possesses that indescribable “it” factor. After conquering college basketball with Iowa and rapidly adjusting to the professional stage with the Fever, her impact is undeniable.
The stage was set in Phoenix. Fans, donned in Clark jerseys, some traveling from Iowa and others from Indiana, poured into the Footprint Center, filling the air with anticipation. The crowd, swelling to over 17,000, wasn’t just there for a regular season matchup; they were there for Caitlin Clark. The scoreboard might have read Fever vs. Mercury, but everyone knew the real headline: Caitlin Clark vs. Diana Taurasi. This wasn’t just a matchup between two teams with lukewarm records; it was a clash of titans. On one side, Taurasi, one of the greatest to have ever graced a WNBA court. On the other, Clark, the potential heir to that throne.
Before stepping onto the court for what was set to be a memorable showdown, Clark expressed profound respect for Taurasi. “I just admired the way she played the game and the fire that she played with,” Clark said. “It’s impressive that she’s still able to play this game at such a high level and produce the way she does. She’s obviously the best scorer our game has ever seen and one of the best players our game has ever seen.” But admiration was soon to meet competition.
What unfolded on the court that day was something even Taurasi hadn’t anticipated. The game started with Phoenix seizing the momentum, quickly surging to an eight-point lead. Taurasi set the tone early, driving past defenders and pushing their lead to 10-2. Clark appeared to struggle initially, dealing with turnovers and finding little space to maneuver. With her struggling, the Mercury took full advantage. Taurasi and Griner dominated with a pick and roll, pushing their lead to 14-2 just four minutes into the game.
However, as the first quarter progressed, the tides began to turn. Finding her rhythm, Clark showcased why she is a force to be reckoned with. After receiving a solid screen from Boston at midcourt, she launched a deep three from the logo, a clean swish that cut the deficit to eight points. Clark kept up the heat, and despite missing a few shots, her synergy with Boston was unmistakable. On a fast break, Clark executed a precise pass to a cutting Boston for an emphatic layup.
As the second quarter commenced, Clark and Boston’s synergy was on full display. Even facing tough defense from Cunningham, Clark managed to drive to the basket and score. Taurasi responded with a three-pointer, extending the Mercury’s lead once more. Heading into halftime, Phoenix held an 11-point advantage at 49-38 and even pushed their lead further early in the third quarter. But Clark wasn’t ready to let go.
Clark drove aggressively through the Mercury defense for another layup, cutting the lead back down. Moments later, a brilliant find from Clark to Kelsey Mitchell in the corner for a three-pointer brought the lead down to single digits. With just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Clark shifted into another gear. She charged up the court and, without a moment’s hesitation, launched a deep shot from the logo. The audacity of this move was outrageous, but the momentum was now unmistakably with the Fever. Clark orchestrated every move with masterful precision, finding Wallace with a backdoor cut and delivering a long pass to a driving Aaliyah Boston.
Clark was now fully leading the comeback. In full command, she directed traffic on the court, setting Kelsey Mitchell up for a critical three-pointer, giving the Fever their first lead of the day. Not stopping there, she executed a brilliant show-and-go, feeding Mitchell once again for another three-pointer, pushing the Fever ahead. Clark remained composed, cleverly finding Timmy Binley, who capitalized on the opening to sink a two-pointer, capping a staggering 17-0 run that put Indiana ahead by 10 points.
Taurasi, feeling the urgency, halted Indiana’s run with a timely three-pointer. The third quarter ended with Phoenix narrowing the gap to just three points, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Phoenix Mercury came out with renewed aggression. Kia Nurse spearheaded an aggressive 8-0 run, pushing their lead to seven points. However, the Fever were not yet ready to fold.
With just three minutes remaining and trailing by seven, Clark considered a long-range three but instead opted for a strategic assist to Katie Lou Samuelson, who nailed a critical three-pointer. The defense tightened around Clark, but her determination shone through. She aggressively drove and found Aaliyah Boston in the corner for another three, cutting the lead down to a mere three points. Kelsey Mitchell then drew a foul on a jumper and converted, bringing the Fever back into the lead.
In a thrilling finish, the Indiana Fever clinched the victory with an 88-82 scoreline. Caitlin Clark narrowly missed out on a triple-double, but her playmaking was on full display with 12 assists, and she was a force on the glass with nine rebounds. Remarkably, she did all this while playing nearly the full 40 minutes and battling an illness.
After the thrilling conclusion, even Taurasi couldn’t help but acknowledge Caitlin Clark’s standout performance. “The one thing that I really love about her, she loves the game. You can tell she’s put the work in, and even throughout her short WNBA career, there’s been a lot of pressure and a lot of things thrown at her. She keeps showing up and keeps getting better every single game. Her future is super bright.”
Indeed, pressure has been a constant companion for Clark, but she handles it with the poise of a veteran. At only 22, Clark carries herself with the maturity of a seasoned professional, handling the spotlight with ease. Her responses to adversities, whether being knocked down during a game or facing exclusion from the US Olympic team, highlight her resilience and focus. “Basketball’s competitive,” she stated simply after a tough on-court encounter. And regarding the Olympic snub, she declared, “Just gives you something to work for,” turning each setback into a stepping stone for future success.
This blend of skill, maturity, and a never-say-die attitude not only defines Clark’s approach to basketball but also marks her as a standout athlete ready to face and overcome any challenge. Diana Taurasi, at 42, may have two decades of experience over Caitlin Clark, but the gap in their legacies could narrow sooner than many expect. While Clark’s shooting ability captures headlines, it’s her visionary playmaking that truly sets her apart. Her slip passes, precise bounce passes, and long leads command the court in ways that often catch even her teammates by surprise.
However, Clark is not just participating in the WNBA; she is electrifying it, building upon the foundation laid by legends like Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, and Maya Moore. She brings a caliber of shooting the women’s game has rarely seen, poised to influence the next generation much like Stephen Curry has revolutionized long-range shooting in the men’s game.
As Taurasi once dominated the game, it’s clear that Clark is next in line, ready to inspire a new era in women’s basketball. If you enjoyed this breakdown and want to catch more stories about the incredible athletes reshaping sports today, don’t forget to hit that like button, subscribe, and ring the bell for notifications on our latest videos.
