The Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night wasn’t just any game; it was a cosmic collision of star power and hype. On one side, you had Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s next big thing, and on the other, Brittney Griner, a seasoned vet with a storied past that includes a title and a stint in Russian jail (seriously, you can’t make this stuff up).
Before the Fever clinched a 95-86 victory, Griner decided to spill some tea about Clark’s meteoric rise in an interview with IndyStar Sports’ Kyle Smedly. Spoiler alert: even Griner, who practically invented the art of dealing with overblown expectations, thinks Clark’s life is bananas.
Griner: Even grocery shopping isn’t the same
“It’s wild, I tell ya,” Griner shared. “The girl can’t even grab some cereal without causing a scene. I’ve been there, and trust me, it’s no picnic.”
For context, Griner’s been in the spotlight since her high school days in Houston, then skyrocketed to fame at Baylor under coach Kim Mulkey. Remember that 40-0 season and national title in 2012? Yep, all Griner. She was the top pick in the 2013 draft, and despite a detour that included a year in a Russian cell (long story), she’s back dominating the court and heading for the Hall of Fame.
Clark, fresh off setting the NCAA’s all-time scoring record, took a moment to soak in Griner’s comments during the postgame media chat. Clearly starstruck, Clark was all gratitude and admiration.
“It’s surreal, honestly,” Clark gushed. “Griner’s been a legend in this league forever. For her to acknowledge me like that? Mind-blowing.”
So, there you have it: a torch-passing moment between a basketball deity and a rising star. Who knows, maybe one day Clark will also have her own Russian adventure to recount. But for now, she’s just trying to make it through a grocery run unscathed.