Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, now in her 20th season in the WNBA, has been hinting that her storied career might soon be coming to an end. On Thursday, during the Mercury’s 89-70 loss to the Seattle Storm in what was the final game of the 2024 regular season, the atmosphere felt as if it could be Taurasi’s final appearance on the court.
Leading up to the game, the Mercury honored the 42-year-old legend with a heartfelt tribute video shared on their X (formerly Twitter) account. The video featured messages from Taurasi’s closest family members, including her wife, sister, and children, adding an emotional layer to what many believed could be a farewell.
Although the original plan was for Taurasi to sit out the fourth quarter to rest for the upcoming playoffs, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts decided to make a special gesture. He subbed the three-time WNBA champion back into the game, much to the delight of the Footprint Center crowd. Fans erupted in cheers, chanting Taurasi’s name in recognition of the iconic moment.
After the final buzzer sounded, Taurasi addressed the packed arena filled with her loved ones, friends, former coaches, teammates, and loyal fans. Her speech was a testament to her humility and grace, striking a balance between reflection and gratitude.
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As Taurasi began, “If it’s the last time…” the crowd broke out into a passionate chant of “One more year!” Smiling, Taurasi playfully referenced her longtime friend and fellow WNBA star Sue Bird, who had teased retirement but returned for one more season before retiring in 2022. “They tricked Sue with that one,” Taurasi joked, acknowledging the emotional power of a cheering crowd.
Earlier in the week, Taurasi had acknowledged the possibility of retirement, admitting that “the end is near” but remaining non-committal. She expressed that she would take time after the season to reflect on her future.
Taurasi’s career is nothing short of legendary. A three-time NCAA champion during her college years at UConn, she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft. Since then, she has accumulated a list of accolades that few can rival: Rookie of the Year, MVP, 11-time All-Star, and Finals MVP twice during her three championship runs.
She currently holds the top spot on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list and has earned six Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
Despite the emotional send-off on Thursday, Taurasi remains focused on the immediate future—winning another championship. Speaking after the game, she revealed that she had confided in teammate Brittney Griner about the internal struggle she’s been facing. “Some days, I feel like I can still do this. Other days, it’s a struggle,” Taurasi admitted.
She continued, “I need to take a step back and think about what’s next, not just for my career but for my family as well. But one thing is for sure—as soon as we win this championship, the decision will come quickly.”
With her legacy already cemented, Taurasi and the Mercury will embark on their championship journey this Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Lynx.
Whether this playoff run will mark the conclusion of her illustrious career remains to be seen, but for now, Taurasi’s focus is on leading her team to victory.
