The WNBA regular season is set to resume on Friday with a marquee matchup between Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi. Although the two superstar hoopers may not publicly admit to any legitimate, personal beef between them, there is a thrilling juxtaposition between the old guard and new blood.
To make the first game back even more exciting, it might be the last opportunity for Taurasi to beat Clark.
The 42-year-old basketball legend is likely going to retire at the end of this year. That seems to be the expectation. Taurasi was drafted No. 1 overall in 2004, won three WNBA championships, led the league in scoring five times, made 11 All-Star teams, and was the MVP in 2009. She has nothing more to accomplish. She will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
However, there is one thing that evades Taurasi: a win over Clark!
Indiana defeated Phoenix by six on the road during the first-ever meeting between ‘the ROOK’ and ‘the GOAT.’ Taurasi did not play when the Fever beat the Mercury by nine on July 12.
Unless their two teams meet in the playoffs, this Friday will be her last time lining up against Clark— possibly ever. And as the competitor that she is, there is no doubt that this game means just a little bit more to Taurasi than all of the rest.
Diana Taurasi and Caitlin Clark are rivals!
To make things even spicier, Caitlin Clark was left off of Team USA for the Olympics in Paris because she wasn’t playing particularly well at the start of her rookie season. Diana Taurasi is coming off of a gold medal after narrowly escaping France in the championship. There is some underlying tension there
Phoenix also threw fuel on the fire with a targeted video on social media. It takes multiple shots at the first-year point guard with a firm stance in favor of the 19-year veteran.
Of course, Clark’s 1-0 record against Taurasi doesn’t necessarily help the optics here… Why would a team that lost last time want the player who lost instead of the player who won?
Oh well. It’s all for the content!
Taurasi dispelled the bully narrative by giving Clark the love she did not receive from the WNBA when they met on the court for the first time in June. There won’t be as much love on Friday. She wants to win!