Caitlin Clark’s WNBA career has had a rocky start. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer has experienced historic losses in her first two regular-season games with the Indiana Fever. The team has set a record for the largest combined deficit in a franchise’s first two games, losing by a total of 57 points.

For many, Clark’s struggles are surprising, but WNBA legend Diana Taurasi anticipated this outcome. Taurasi previously predicted that Clark would face challenges early in her career due to the physicality of the WNBA, and so far, she has been proven correct.

On Friday, Taurasi addressed her earlier comments, reiterating that it’s normal for college stars to need time to adjust to the professional level. “It’s going to take time,” she warned Clark.

Taurasi also clarified that her comments were not intended to criticize Clark but to highlight the inevitable learning curve for any player transitioning from college to the pros.

“Look, I only said it because, when I watch games – you talk to any professional athlete – you just look at what will they look like as a pro? Right? You watch college football, college baseball, college hockey, college basketball, and we’re just so cemented in the pros that that’s the way I look at the game: How will it translate? And it’s going to translate but, like any college quarterback, it’s going to take time,” she added.

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) looks on against the Chicago Sky during the second half of game two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center.

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Diana Taurasi is right. Caitlin Clark has some learning to do. Few, if any, rookies step into a professional sport and dominate right away. It takes time

The big challenge for Clark at the moment is keeping a good mindset. She’s clearly been bothered by both her’s and the team’s performance through two WNBA games. She must take things one day at a time and take care of her mental health.

Clark and the Fever rematch vs. Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty on Saturday.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball down court, Thursday, May 16, 2024, during the Indiana Fever home opener game against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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