Diana Taurasi, entering her 20th season in the WNBA, did not officially announce her retirement on Thursday night after the Phoenix Mercurys' regular-season finale against the Seattle Storm. But the Mercury icon addressed the hometown crowd and hinted that retirement may be imminent.
“If this is the last time, it feels like the first time,” Taurasi said as the crowd chanted “One more year.”
“I love you guys.”
Taurasi played 18 minutes in the Mercury's 89-70 loss to the Storm on Thursday, scoring nine points, one rebound and recording two assists. With 3:11 left in the fourth quarter, fans at Footprint Center rose to their feet and called for Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts to let Taurasi back into the game. The first-year coach complied. Taurasi returned to the game, giving the crowd kisses and applause. The crowd then showered Taurasi with cheers.
It was a 10-second curtain call for Mercury fans to show their appreciation for the historic player in what would likely be his final home game. As Taurasi left the court, fans chanted “one more year.”
Diana Taurasi is back and the crowd is enjoying every second 🥹
SEA-PHX | League Pass 📱 pic.twitter.com/MIaFPkvB0g
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2024
When the match ended, the bleachers dimmed and the spotlight was on Taurasi at center court. Before she addressed the crowd, a video tribute to Taurasi played on the screen above. It was the same video that Mercury social media accounts posted to X on Thursday afternoon, hinting at a possible retirement announcement.
Taurasi expressed her gratitude to the city of Phoenix, which she calls “home.” She praised her teammates, coaching staff and fans for the support they've shown 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 coach, every player, every person that puts on a WNBA uniform because it takes a village,” Taurasi said. “Thank you to all the people who played before this league had what it is today. We thank you, and we thank the next generation.”
Many famous athletes and coaches were in attendance for what may be Taurasi's final game, including four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird, World Cup and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe, University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut assistant coach Chris Dailey, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Damion Lee and small forward Josh Okogie, as well as Taurasi's parents, Mario and Liliana.
If Thursday marks the end of Taurasi's WNBA career, she will leave behind a packed resume in the sport: three championships, the league's all-time leading scorer, six gold medals with Team USA and 11 WNBA All-Star appearances. Her records include being the first WNBA player to score 10,000 career points, the oldest player to score 40 points in a game in both the NBA and WNBA and her career points total (10,646).
The Mercuries made the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time in a decade last year, but Thursday night marked Taurasi's performance, her likely retirement and a chance for the Phoenix crowd to honor one of the franchise's greats.
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
