“Who is Caitlin? I’m here for Taurasi.”
The Phoenix Mercury trolled Caitlin Clark with a TikTok video before the team’s game against the Indiana Fever on Friday, with a young fan saying those words before showing clips of Diana Taurasi nailing some big shots on the court.
But Clark got the last laugh on Taurasi and the Mercury.
The Fever beat the Mercury 98-89 in Indianapolis, with Clark scoring 29 points on 8-for-16 shooting. She had 10 assists and five rebounds.
The Fever completed the 3-game regular season sweep of the Mercury with the win.
Indiana also beat Phoenix 95-86 on July 12 and 88-82 on June 30.
More:Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever hold off Phoenix Mercury comeback
Caitlin Clark-Diana Taurasi beef with Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury’s “Who is Caitlin?” video isn’t the only time the team has potentially given Clark and the Fever bulletin board material.
During an interview with Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter on April 6, Taurasi said of Clark: “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 (be playing against) some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”
Taurasi continued: “Not saying (Clark’s skills) are 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.”
Then, Taurasi appeared to double down on her comments soon after, saying that Clark fans were being “sensitive.”
“The new fans are really sensitive these days, and you can’t say anything,” Taurasi said. “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. I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t factually correct. Like anything, greatness is going to translate and she’s proven that in every level and I don’t see that being any different in the WNBA.”
More:Mercury down Chicago Sky in first game back at Footprint Center
Social media responded to Diana Taurasi’s ‘reality is coming’ comments about Caitlin after Fever-Mercury game Friday:
Social media remembered Taurasi’s comments about Clark after the Fever swept the Mercury in their regular season series on Friday.
More:How 3 former Phoenix Mercury coaches built a WNBA dynasty
Special moment between Caitlin Clark, Diana Taurasi in Friday’s Fever vs Mercury game:
Near the end of Friday’s Fever win over the Mercury, Taurasi went over and put her arm around Clark as the Mercury were attempting a free throw, providing a special moment on the court.
Could it be the last time the two face off in their careers?
The Mercury and Fever aren’t scheduled to play again in the regular season, and some upsets would probably have to happen in the postseason for them to face off in the WNBA Playoffs (if they both made the postseason).
This could also be Taurasi’s last year in the WNBA (she’s 42).
If it was the last time they face off on the court, Clark and the Fever got the last laugh on Taurasi and the Mercury.
Everyone should know who Caitlin Clark is now.
More on Diana Taurasi, Caitlin Clark and Mercury vs. Fever rivalry:
What did Diana Taurasi say about Caitlin Clark and was it really controversial?
Did Diana Taurasi steal Caitlin Clark’s 2024 Olympics roster spot? Social media sounds off
Caitlin Clark fans rib Diana Taurasi for going scoreless in Team USA win over Belgium
Mercury star Diana Taurasi responds to criticism over Caitlin Clark comments
Caitlin Clark, Diana Taurasi squash beef at Mercury loss to Fever
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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