Days before the 2024 WNBA Draft in April, Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi sent a warning shot to the incoming rookie class, which included Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark.

“Reality is coming,” Taurasi told Scott Van Pelt on “SportsCenter.”

Four months later, Taurasi’s words aged poorly — at least when it comes to Clark — as the 22-year-old rookie beat Taurasi and her Phoenix Mercury for the third time this season. And counting the WNBA All-Star game, Clark is 4-0 in her career against Taurasi.

“You look superhuman playing against 18 year olds but you’re going to come with some grown women who’ve been playing professional basketball for a long time,” Taurasi said back in April.

“Not saying it’s not going to translate, because when you’re great at what you do you’re just going to get better, but there’s 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.”

un 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) against Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) during a WNBA game at Footprint Center.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Although Tauarsi sat out one of the three regular-season meeting against Clark, the rookie has far outperformed her on the court.

Clark has averaged 21.3 points, 11.6 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game against the Mercury, while Taurasi has averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game against the Fever.

 

And as far as a learning curve goes, Clark seems to be adjusting just fine. She entered Friday’s game leading the league in assists per game (8.2) and made 3-pointers per game (2.7), and she ranked in the top 20 in both scoring (17.1 points per game) and rebounding (5.8 per game).