CELEBRITY
Caitlin Clark shares a laugh with rival Diana Taurasi on court despite veteran’s brutal ‘reality’ comments… as fans joke that ‘FINALLY a player likes’ new superstar rookie
It seems there’s no bad blood between Caitlin Clark and WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi, who previously warned the rookie was in for a ‘reality’ check.
The pair were seen sharing a laugh on court during the first half of the Fever’s 88-82 upset victory over the Mercury on Sunday.
The longtime Phoenix guard appeared to say something to the Iowa alum that made her giggle during the wholesome interaction.
‘Finally a player in the league that likes her!!!!!’ one fan joked in response to a clip on X, referencing the frosty reception most WNBA veterans have given the former Iowa star.
‘GOAT TALKING TO BABY GOAT,’ another said of 22-year-old Clark and 42-year-old Taurasi, who is currently in the 20th year of her career.
‘Finally someone who isn’t jealous,’ another chimed in.
Clark had 15 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds Sunday afternoon as Indiana rallied from 15 down to beat the Mercury at Footprint Center.
It was the first on-court meeting between Clark and Taurasi, the WNBA´s all-time leading scorer, who had a lot to say about the No 1 draft pick back in April.
‘Reality is coming, there’s levels to this thing,’ she told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter, when asked about Clark jumping to the pros.
‘And that’s just life, we all went through it… You look superhuman playing against some 18 years olds but you’re going to come [play] with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time,’ Taurasi added.
‘Not saying it’s not gonna translate, because when you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better,’ she continued. ‘But there is gonna be a transition period, where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.’
Taurasi later doubled down on her remarks, calling Clark’s fans ‘sensitive’.
‘The new fans are really sensitive these days,’ Taurasi the Arizona Republic, adding, ‘You can’t say anything.’
‘It’s kind of like when you go [from] kindergarten to first grade, there’s a learning adjustment. When you go from high school to college, there’s a learning adjustment,’ Taurasi went on.
‘I don’t think I said anything that’s factually incorrect. Like anything, greatness is going to translate. And she’s prove that at every level. I don’t see why that’s going to be any different in the WNBA.’