The Indiana Fever will face the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday.

Christie Sides hails Diana Taurasi ahead of Caitlin Clark duel

The Sunday showdown between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury is approaching, and it features a compelling face-off between rookie Caitlin Clark and 20-year veteran Diana Taurasi.

This matchup marks the first meeting between the two players at different stages of their careers.

Despite Taurasi’s earlier dismissive comments about the Iowa alumna, she recognizes Clark’s talent. Clark, in turn, has always admired Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. Before this intriguing game, Fever’s head coach Christie Sides shared some insights on what to expect.

During the Fever’s recent media session, reporters spoke with Sides to get her perspective on the upcoming game and her reflections on Diana Taurasi.

Sides shared memories from her college days, noting that in 2004, she joined the coaching staff at LSU while Taurasi was leading UConn to a national championship and securing the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.

Their paths crossed again from 2007 to 2010 in Russia, where Sides served as an assistant coach for Spartak Moscow, a team Taurasi joined in 2006.

Sides commended Taurasi for maintaining her performance level, emphasizing that Taurasi is just five years younger than herself.

“Competitor. That’s what you remember about Diana Taurasi,” Sides said.

“It doesn’t matter what age or level she was at, College, pro, overseas. I had the opportunity to coach her overseas. It’s just a different level. She is just one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met.”

Clark hailed Taurasi

Even with the competitive edge, Clark, the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, continues to express her admiration for Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.

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“It’s incredible. It’s a dream come true,” she noted.

“You get to live out your dream while playing against the best. Obviously, she’s one of the greatest players our game has ever seen, the greatest scorer our game has ever seen.”