Before the 2024 WNBA season, Diana Taurasi gave Caitlin Clark a warning. While speaking to Scott Van Pelt of ESPN, Taurasi said that "reality is coming" as Clark prepared for her rookie season. However, Clark ended up having an incredible rookie campaign, silencing the doubters. Clark joined Taurasi and Sue Bird on The Bird & Taurasi Show on Sunday and the former Phoenix Mercury star joked about her previous comments, via Clark Report.
Clark congratulated Taurasi on her retirement, which led to Taurasi's joke.
"Unfortunately reality is coming to me now," Taurasi said.
The comment was met with laughter from Bird and Clark. It seems as if Clark and Taurasi are on good terms despite the previous warning.
Caitlin Clark's popularity
Caitlin Clark received no shortage of attention after being selected first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. Her immense popularity in college with Iowa carried over to the WNBA. Almost every game Clark played in -- home or away -- was sold out. Fans wanted to watch the Fever rookie play basketball.
Clark is now preparing for her second season in the league. The hype remains quite consistent. Even during the offseason, despite not playing in Unrivaled, Clark remained one of the most discussed athletes in all of sports today. Those discussions will only heat up soon with the WNBA campaign beginning in May.
Diana Taurasi's historic career
Taurasi, however, will not be on the floor this season. As mentioned, she retired following the '24 season. The Mercury legend enjoyed a historic career. She is arguably the greatest WNBA player of all-time.
If Clark continues to play at a high level, perhaps someday she will join Taurasi in the greatest of all-time conversation. Of course, it is too early to confidently predict the Fever star's basketball future. Her outlook is bright without question, though.
WNBA fans will have to get used to Taurasi not playing in the league. The league will feel strange without her, as Taurasi almost played for the WNBA's entire existence. The WNBA made its debut in 1997, while Taurasi made her WNBA debut in 2004.
The game has a bright future with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and other young stars set to lead the way. A'ja Wilson, meanwhile, is currently leading the league as the best overall player.
Fans will seemingly still get to see Taurasi on television as she transitions to a broadcast career.