As the clock wound down late in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game, Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts had a delicate task on his hands. His team was losing 89-70 to the Seattle Storm, but the score wasn’t the focus of everyone in the building. With the potential end of an era looming, he needed to persuade the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, Diana Taurasi, to step back on the court, possibly for the final time in front of her home crowd.
The moment was bittersweet, filled with emotions that only the greatest in sports experience as their careers near the finish line. It took the help of not just Coach Tibbetts but also Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud, and Sophie Cunningham to convince Taurasi to make what could be her last appearance on the court at the Footprint Center. With a sellout crowd chanting "D.T., D.T.," Taurasi finally agreed to go back in, giving the fans what they had been hoping for—a chance to celebrate her in real time, in what may be her final curtain call.
The plan had initially been for Taurasi to sit out the final quarter. After all, she’s 42, and there was no need to push her in a game that ultimately didn’t matter in terms of standings. But with 3:11 left on the clock, she stepped back onto the court to a roaring ovation. The chants of "one more year" filled the arena, as the Footprint Center faithful made it clear they weren’t ready to say goodbye to the only WNBA player to score over 10,000 career points. She waved, she clapped, and she soaked in the love from fans who have cheered her on for nearly two decades.
Just six seconds later, Taurasi was subbed out for what could be the final time in her Phoenix career. It was a symbolic move, allowing the crowd to celebrate her one more time as she walked off the court where she had played 261 games, scored over 5,000 points, dished out more than 1,100 assists, grabbed over 1,000 rebounds, and drained 678 three-pointers. A staggering career by any measure, and yet, the question remained: Was this truly goodbye?
As Taurasi made her way to the bench, the scene grew even more emotional. She hugged Coach Tibbetts, then turned to embrace her parents, Mario and Lily Taurasi, who were seated courtside. One by one, she made her way through the team, hugging each teammate before taking her seat at the end of the bench, perhaps for the last time at home. The Footprint Center erupted in applause, a city showing appreciation for the woman who had not only helped put Phoenix on the map in women's basketball but had also made them proud for nearly 20 years.
What made the night so poignant was the uncertainty surrounding it. Taurasi herself admitted after the game that she’s not quite sure what her future holds. Phoenix still has playoff basketball ahead as they travel to Minnesota for a best-of-three series against the Lynx. A potential Game 3 could bring Taurasi back to the Footprint Center, but whether Thursday night was her final home game remains a mystery. "I think once the season's over, I'll have a better idea of what it looks like for me in the future," Taurasi said in a post-game interview, leaving the door open for one more season, or perhaps retirement.
For weeks leading up to the game, the Mercury had been subtly preparing fans for the possibility that this might be Taurasi’s swan song. They launched a "If this is it..." social media campaign, hinting at the significance of the night. Fans who arrived early were greeted with t-shirts draped over the seats, all honoring Taurasi’s career. The atmosphere was one of celebration, but with a lingering feeling of finality.
The pre-game festivities were filled with nods to Taurasi’s legendary status. Players like Kahleah Copper, Natasha Cloud, and Sophie Cunningham wore Taurasi jerseys from different eras during warmups. Even more touching, her former University of Connecticut coach, Geno Auriemma, made the trip to Phoenix, as did longtime friends Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe. It was clear that the night was a significant moment, not just for Taurasi, but for the people who have been with her throughout her illustrious career.
Adding to the emotional weight of the night, Taurasi admitted that she had no idea so many of her loved ones were planning to be there. "Everyone just said, 'Good luck tonight,' and 'We’ll see you in the winter,'" she shared with a chuckle. It wasn’t until she stepped onto the court and started recognizing familiar faces that she realized the extent of the surprise. Former Mercury coach Corey Gaines, high school teammates, and a large contingent of friends and family all made the trip to be there for her, a testament to the impact she has had on so many.
While the game itself was essentially meaningless from a playoff standpoint, with both teams already locked into their postseason spots, it was all about Taurasi. Coach Tibbetts said after the game that his rotations reflected that—he wasn’t trying to win at all costs, but rather to make the night special for Taurasi. And special it was.
Taurasi played just 18 minutes, scoring nine points—all from beyond the arc—while adding two assists and a rebound. She hit Phoenix’s first points of the game with a three-pointer early in the first quarter, followed by another deep shot just before the end of the quarter. Her final points came in the second quarter, a fitting end for a player known for her long-range shooting and clutch performances.
After the game, the Mercury played a short video of family, friends, and teammates reading a heartfelt letter to Taurasi, thanking her for everything she’s done for the game. Then Taurasi took the microphone to address the crowd. In a speech that teetered on the edge of goodbye, she reminisced about arriving in Phoenix back in 2004. "I kind of knew" she was going to stay, she said. But as she started to say, "If this is the last time," the crowd drowned her out with chants of "one more year."
The moment was perfect. Taurasi, emotional but composed, left the fans with a poignant line: "If it is the last time, it felt like the first time."
In the locker room after the game, Taurasi reflected on her future in a conversation with Brittney Griner. "I was talking to B.G., and I'm like, 'There are still days where I feel like I can still do this. I still want to play basketball,'" she said. But, in the same breath, Taurasi acknowledged the other side of that coin: "Then there are days where I’m crawling out of bed." At 42, the decision to keep playing isn’t an easy one, and Taurasi knows she has to look at the bigger picture.
As a mother of two, Taurasi has more to consider now than just her love for the game. "I have to take a step back and think about what’s next," she admitted. But in true Taurasi fashion, she left the door open for one more run, quipping, "As soon as we win this championship, this decision will come quick."
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