WNBA

Will Diana Taurasi Retire This Season? It Sure Sounds Like It.

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Diana Taurasi is nearing the end of her legendary basketball career and the question is when Taurasi will retire. Recent comments about her ending her career have sparked discussions about the WNBA’s G.O.A.T. potential, imminent retirement.

At age 42 and is one of the greatest players in WNBA history, Taurasi has spent two decades as the face of the Phoenix Mercury and has left a huge footprint on the WNBA and women’s basketball overall.

The all-time leading scorer in WNBA history, Taurasi has checked off almost every accolade and multiple times. Di has earned numerous awards and, including three WNBA championships, two WNBA Finals MVPs, fourteen All-Star appearances, and is the league’s best scorer of all-time when it comes to total career points. Her impact on the game goes beyond numbers, as she has been a trailblazer for the league and a six-time Olympic gold medalist.

Will Diana Taurasi Retire?

While Taurasi has not made an official statement regarding her retirement, verbal signs indicate that the 2024 season may be her final one. After the Mercury’s last home game, fans and teammates alike felt the weight of the moment, unsure if they were witnessing her final appearance at the Footprint Center.

Addressing the crowd following the game, Taurasi remained coy about her future, saying things like “We’ll see what happens,” and “If this is it…” somewhat acknowledging the significance of the game and the possibility of stepping away. She also made comments about passing the torch to younger teammates. Specifically, she praised Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper as key players who will lead the Mercury into the future, subtly hinting at her readiness to step aside.

The home crowd chanted “one more year” in a bid to convince their beloved star to return, but only Taurasi (and some of her closest friends and family) knows what she’ll do.

Taurasi’s Final Playoff Run?

As the playoffs kick off, the Mercury take on the Minnesota Lynx in the First Round of the WNBA postseason. This could be Taurasi’s last opportunity to add another championship to her already impressive résumé.

Taurasi’s fellow players, past and present, have also weighed in on her potential retirement. Napheesa Collier, star of the Minnesota Lynx, fellow UConn Lady Husky and Taurasi’s Olympic teammate, expressed her desire to be part of Taurasi’s final playoff run. “It’s an honor to play against her,” Collier said, acknowledging the weight of facing a player of Taurasi’s caliber.

“It seems like it’s her retirement tour, I don’t know. She has been pretty quiet about it. She is obviously a UConn great, a league GOAT. I feel lucky to have been able to play with her on Team USA and against her.” per Desert Wave Media.

After the Lynx defeated the Mercury in Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs, Collier said some interesting things about

So is Taurasi going to retire? If we had the $5 minimum deposit casinos in Canada, we would make that bet. So when would that happen? If Taurasi is going to retire after this current season, it will come after the Phoenix Mercury playoff run. Currently down 0-1 to the Lynx in their First Round best-of-three series, Taurasi’s final WNBA game could come in Game 2 on Wednesday, September 25th if the Mercury lose. If they win, they play again on Friday, September 27th.

A Career Spanning 3 Decades

Despite her age, Taurasi’s competitive fire continues to burn brightly. In 2023, Taurasi made headlines by becoming the first player in WNBA history to reach the 10,000-point milestone.  That said, she is no longer taking on the superstar role, but has transitioned into a very good player that is also a mentor and leader in the locker room.

The physical toll of two decades in professional basketball may finally be catching up to her, and Taurasi has hinted in recent interviews that her body is not the same as it once was. Balancing her desire to keep competing with the realities of aging, Taurasi faces a difficult decision about her future.

While the WNBA and its fans are not ready to say goodbye, Taurasi’s potential retirement marks the end of an era for women’s basketball. Her influence on the game, both as a player and an ambassador, is immeasurable, and her legacy will endure long after she leaves the court. The emotional scenes following her final home game in Phoenix suggest that Taurasi may be preparing to hang up her jersey. Whether she ultimately chooses to return for one more season or decides to step away from the game, Taurasi will forever be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game. The basketball world now waits for her decision.

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