In an impressive display of resilience and talent, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has captured the attention and respect of Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi. The Fever managed a stunning comeback victory against the Mercury on the road, with Taurasi expressing her admiration for the WNBA rookie.

“It’s amazing. What Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career so far has been nothing short of remarkable. The one thing that I really love about her… she’s put the work in. Even throughout her short WNBA career, it’s been a lot of pressure, a lot of things thrown at her and she keeps showing up and she keeps getting better every single game. So her future is super bright,” Taurasi said.

All smiles for Diana Taurasi and Caitlin Clark 😃 pic.twitter.com/10asAETmdg

— ESPN (@espn) June 30, 2024

This praise from Taurasi holds special significance for Clark, who grew up watching and idolizing the WNBA star. Leading up to their matchup, Clark spoke about how much she admired Taurasi and how the legend influenced her development as a player.

Taurasi and Clark had commendable performances

On Sunday, both players showcased their skills with commendable stat lines. Taurasi scored 19 points, grabbed three rebounds, secured three steals, and dished out three assists. Clark, nearly achieving a triple-double, contributed 15 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds.

Neither Clark nor Taurasi had their best shooting night from beyond the arc, with both shooting 2-for-10 from three-point range. However, their determination and intensity kept the game highly competitive.

With this victory, the Indiana Fever improve to an 8-12 record for the season. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury’s loss drops them to a 9-9 record.

Clark’s performance and Taurasi‘s acknowledgment highlight the rookie’s potential and the bright future that lies ahead for her in the WNBA.