Diana Taurasi, in her 20th WNBA season, did not formally announce her retirement on Thursday night after the Phoenix Mercury’s last regular-season game against the Seattle Storm. However, the Mercury icon suggested that the end may be near as she spoke to the home crowd.
“If this is the last time, it felt like the first time,” Taurasi said while the crowd chanted, “one more year.”
“I love you guys,” she added.
Taurasi played 18 minutes on Thursday as the Mercury lost 89-70 to the Storm. She scored nine points, grabbed one rebound, and had two assists. With 3:11 left in the fourth quarter, fans at the Footprint Center stood up, encouraging Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts to put Taurasi back in the game. The coach agreed, and Taurasi returned to the game, blowing a kiss and applauding the crowd, who cheered for her.
The crowd’s cheers were a quick appreciation for a historic player in what could be her final home game. As Taurasi exited the court, fans continued to chant, “One more year.”
Diana Taurasi checks back in and the crowd is lovin’ every second of it 🥹
SEA-PHX | League Pass 📱 pic.twitter.com/MIaFPkvB0g
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2024
After the game ended, the lights dimmed in the stands, and the spotlight focused on Taurasi at center court. Before addressing the crowd, a tribute video for Taurasi played on the screen above. It was the same video that the Mercury social media account teased earlier in the day as a potential retirement announcement.
Taurasi expressed gratitude to the city of Phoenix, which she called “home.” She lauded her teammates, coaches, and fans who supported her throughout her career.
Dear Dee –
Love,All of Us pic.twitter.com/SnO1q10Fdp
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 19, 2024
“I want to thank every single coach, every single player, every single person that’s worn a WNBA jersey because it takes a village,” Taurasi said. “For everyone who played before this league is where it is now — we’re thankful for you guys and we’re thankful for the next generation.”
Several notable athletes and coaches were present at Taurasi’s potential final game, including Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Geno Auriemma, Chris Dailey, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie, and Taurasi’s parents.
If Thursday marked the end of Taurasi’s WNBA career, she would leave the sport with an impressive resume, including three championships, the title of the league’s all-time leading scorer, six gold medals, and numerous records and accolades.
For the Mercury, reaching the playoffs this season was a significant achievement after missing out last year. However, Thursday night was about honoring Taurasi, bidding a likely farewell, and allowing the Phoenix crowd to celebrate one of the franchise’s greatest players.
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(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
