The door is no longer cracked for Caitlin Clark to make the Team USA roster for the Olympics in Paris later this month. Diana Taurasi rejoined the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday after missing a few games due to a lower left leg injury.
Her return to the court is a great sign that the 42-year-old veteran will miss any more time in the coming weeks.
However, barring catastrophe during training camp, it dashes any hope for Clark to sneak onto the Team USA roster as a WNBA rookie. Another player would need to get injured, which nobody wishes to see.
The WNBA season will go on hiatus after Wednesday’s games for the All-Star break. It will pick back up on August 17 after the Olympics. Meanwhile, a star-studded national team is going to prepare for Paris.
Team USA will play against the remaining WNBA All-Stars on Saturday. They get a tune-up game against Germany on July 23. Olympic competition begins with the group phase on July 29.
- July 29, 3:00 p.m. EDT — vs. Japan
- August 1, 3:00 p.m. EDT — vs Belgium
- August 4, 11:14 a.m. EDT — vs. Germany
It is not impossible that an unfortunate injury to someone on the U.S. roster opens up a spot. That is still on the table at the first. Clark is the first (maybe second?) alternate to fill in and would likely get the call. Especially now that she has figured out how to succeed with on the professional level.
But with that being said, the roster is all-but locked on this short notice. Taurasi being back on the court more likely than not put an end to Caitlin Clark’s chances of making the Olympic team this time around.
Considering that Diana Taurasi is soon to retire, it is great news that she is healthy and will get one last chance to finish out with a gold medal. Clark has many years left to get one (multiple) of her own!