In what could have been Diana Taurasi's swan song in her hometown of Los Angeles, her Phoenix Mercury team managed to pull off a gritty and emotional victory Tuesday night. The game wasn't just about the numbers or standings; it was about pride, legacy, and perhaps a farewell to one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Phoenix secured an 85-81 win against the Sparks in a heated game that saw veterans like Brittney Griner and rookies like Rickea Jackson getting ejected after an on-court scuffle. The sparks flew in more ways than one, literally and figuratively, as emotions boiled over during this intense contest.
Now, the win might not have had playoff implications, but for Phoenix, it marked their 19th victory of the season, moving them to 19-20. It also left Los Angeles reeling with a disappointing 7-32 record after being eliminated from playoff contention last week. Even so, the Phoenix-Los Angeles rivalry is never dull. It doesn’t matter whether the stakes are high or low — there's always a fire when these two teams face off. For Taurasi, who at 42 has been at the center of this rivalry for 20 years, every game against LA carries extra weight.
The game on Tuesday night could be remembered for a variety of reasons, but one moment stood out: with just 18.1 seconds left in the second quarter, Griner and Jackson found themselves caught in a heated altercation. It all began when they jostled for position under the basket, quickly escalating from a few choice words to a brief scuffle. The referees wasted no time, ejecting both players from the game. The altercation led to technical fouls for Phoenix’s Sophie Cunningham and LA’s Crystal Dangerfield as well, further igniting the already fiery atmosphere.
Griner, who has teamed up with Taurasi to win a WNBA championship in 2014 and three Olympic gold medals for Team USA, had her night cut short. But the drama didn’t stop there. Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts and Sparks coach Curt Miller both admitted that they were unsure exactly what had unfolded during the altercation. "Everything happened so fast," said Miller, who urged his young rookie Jackson to keep her head up after the ejection. The WNBA is likely to review the incident, which may bring further repercussions.
Despite the game’s emotional undertones, it’s hard to ignore the bigger storyline — the possibility that this was Taurasi’s last game in Los Angeles. With 13 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds, Taurasi showed she’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank. When asked if this was truly her final season, she responded with uncertainty. "I don’t know," Taurasi admitted. "The last couple of weeks have been a little nerve-racking for myself. I don't want to make any emotional, rash decisions. I know the end is near. When that is, I don’t know."
This sentiment captures where Taurasi finds herself at this stage in her career. Having spent two decades in the WNBA, all with the Mercury, Taurasi has become more than just a player — she's an icon. She’s spent countless nights lighting up arenas, including Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center), where she’s played both WNBA and NBA games as a spectator. For someone with her resume, walking away from the game is no easy decision. And while the Mercury are promoting their upcoming regular-season finale against the Seattle Storm with the tagline, "If this is it," Taurasi is still not ready to confirm whether or not this will be her final hurrah.
"Especially when you've been somewhere for 20 years," Taurasi said, "I'm grateful that [we're] able to have these conversations and let me really do it the way I want to do it. I've talked to a lot of people, and someone once told me, 'You don't get to pick your ending sometimes.' So, when it ends, it ends. It’s been a fun ride."
The Mercury, who are now locked into the No. 7 playoff seed, are preparing for what could be a challenging playoff run. Their first-round opponent will be the Minnesota Lynx, the No. 2 seed, and Phoenix will have to find a way to win at least one game in Minneapolis to force a home playoff game. It’s a tall task, but for a team that boasts legends like Taurasi and Griner, it’s certainly within reach.
As for Thursday's regular-season finale, neither the Mercury nor the Storm have much on the line. Seattle is already locked into the No. 5 seed, and with both teams having their playoff positions set, it remains to be seen how much playing time the starters will actually get. That said, for fans of Taurasi and the Mercury, Thursday's game in Phoenix represents a potential last chance to see the WNBA legend on her home court. The Mercury have done their part, letting the moment linger without pressuring Taurasi for a decision about her future. They understand the gravity of the situation, and so do the fans.
For now, Taurasi is focused on the immediate future, saying, "I've always been a person that just concentrates on what's next. And that’s practice tomorrow and then [versus] Seattle on Thursday. I guess when the season’s over, I’ll reflect and I’ll get advice from the people that are closest to my heart."
As Taurasi wrestles with the possibility of retirement, her fans, her team, and the entire WNBA wait with bated breath. It’s a rare and beautiful moment when an athlete of her stature gets to dictate the terms of their departure from the game. Whether this was her last game in Los Angeles or not, one thing is for sure — Taurasi’s impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.
Key Takeaways:
- Emotional Win: Phoenix beat LA Sparks 85-81 in a game marked by ejections and fierce emotions, particularly for veteran players like Taurasi and Griner.
- Scuffle on the Court: Griner and rookie Rickea Jackson got ejected after an altercation, further intensifying the already heated rivalry.
- Taurasi’s Uncertain Future: While Taurasi hasn’t confirmed if this is her last season, the speculation is rampant, with the Mercury marketing Thursday's game as potentially her last in Phoenix.
- Playoff Outlook: Phoenix is set to face the Minnesota Lynx in the playoffs, with a challenging road ahead if they want to bring a game back to their home court.
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