Diana Taurasi’s Emotional Moment in Possible Final Home Game for Mercury

PHOENIX — In a poignant scene during the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game, Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts approached Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, urging her to re-enter the game. It took the combined efforts of teammates Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud, and Sophie Cunningham, alongside a sellout crowd chanting “D.T.,” to convince the 42-year-old to take what could be her last home appearance.

With just over three minutes remaining in the game, Taurasi finally stepped back onto the court to a warm standing ovation. As she acknowledged the fans, waves and claps accompanied chants of “one more year”. However, a mere six seconds later, she was subbed out, likely for the final time, leaving the court she has made her home for 261 games.

During her career, she has accumulated an impressive 5,156 points, 1,137 assists, 1,040 rebounds, and 678 three-pointers. As she departed, she shared heartfelt moments with her parents, Mario and Lily Taurasi, who were present courtside, before embracing each of her teammates as she made her way down the bench.

The possibility of this being her last game in Phoenix remains uncertain, as the Mercury will be heading to Minnesota for the first round of the playoffs against the Lynx starting this Sunday. After the game, Taurasi expressed her reflections on the future, stating, “I think once the season’s over, I’ll have a better idea of what it looks like for me in the future.”

The atmosphere on Thursday was reminiscent of a farewell celebration. Leading up to the game, the Mercury launched an “If this is it…” social media campaign, and fans were greeted with shirts honoring Taurasi draped over their seats. The special ambiance continued during warm-ups when Kahleah Copper joined Cloud and Cunningham in wearing Taurasi’s jerseys representing various eras.

In attendance were numerous notable figures including Taurasi’s former University of Connecticut coach, Geno Auriemma, and close friends like Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe. Cory Gaines, a previous coach of Taurasi with the Mercury, and many former teammates also came to support her, creating an emotional backdrop for her performance.

Taurasi was pleasantly surprised by their presence, revealing, “Everyone just said, ‘Good luck tonight,’ and ‘We’ll see you in the winter.’” She was touched to see familiar faces that have been an integral part of her journey.

While Taurasi has consistently indicated her disinterest in a traditional farewell tour, the buildup to this particular night and the focused attention revealed the significance of the moment. Tibbetts stated before the game that they aimed to make the evening special for Taurasi, which, she admitted, felt overwhelming given the impending playoff series.

“You can’t stop and think about if it is the last time walking down that tunnel,” she reflected. “This city is just second to none to me.” Taurasi acknowledged the emotional bond she has with the fans, saying it was heartwarming to see children she once entertained now starting families of their own.

As the game concluded, emotional moments unfolded in the arena. Taurasi embraced her feelings and decided not to suppress them, remembering both the triumphs and trials of her career.
“I just kind of took it all in,” she said, emphasizing her gratitude for the supportive people surrounding her throughout her career.

The game itself held little competitive significance, with both teams already locked into their playoff positions. Coach Tibbetts confirmed postgame that his main goal was to secure a healthy finish and to honor Taurasi. She logged 18 minutes, contributing nine points, two assists, and a rebound, all coming from three-point shots.

After the final buzzer, the Mercury showcased a heartfelt video of friends and family sharing messages with Taurasi, following which she addressed the crowd. She reflected on her beginnings in Arizona, noting she “kinda knew” she would be here for an extended time. As she prepared to conclude her speech, the crowd erupted in chants begging for “one more year.”

In the locker room, Taurasi reflected briefly on her future with Griner. She confided that there are days when she feels she still has a passion for the game, while other days present challenges. “You have to do so much to be able to get back on the court,” she acknowledged, sharing that her decision about retirement involves deeper considerations, particularly her family.

“I have to take a step back and think about what’s next in my future,” she concluded, marking the end of an emotional night filled with reflections and the promise of more to come.