Diana Taurasi changes course on Caitlin Clark warning: ‘Taken out of context’

Diana Taurasi wants to clarify her Caitlin Clark remarks.

The Phoenix Mercury star received backlash last month when she sent a warning to Clark, who was picked No. 1 in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.

“Reality is coming,” Taurasi said while speaking with Breanna Stewart on an alternative ESPN broadcast during Clark and Iowa’s Final Four clash with UConn. “You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.

“There is gonna be a transition period where you’re going to have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.”

Taurasi believes that snippet doesn’t reflect her overall sentiment.

“You know these days, everything takes a life of their own,” Taurasi said on Arizona Sports 98.7 on Friday. “Every little snippet, every little comment, any quote taken out of context. Look, I only said it because when I watch games — and I’m sure when you talk to any professional athlete — you think about what they’ll look like as a pro.

“How will it translate? It’s going to translate. Like any college quarterback, it’s going to take time.”

Clark got off to a slow start in her WNBA career, scoring 14.5 points per game on a woeful 30.4 percent shooting from the field and 27.8 percent from 3-point range, averaging 6.5 turnovers per game through her first two contests.

But she played her best game yet on Saturday against the Liberty, recording 22 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the field, going 4-for-10 from behind the arc.

The Fever have started the season 0-3, however, including Saturday’s 91-80 loss at Barclays Center.

“We’re a young group, there needs to be a little grace given to all of us,” Clark said before Saturday’s game.