Thursday could very well be Diana Taurasi’s last game in front of the Phoenix Mercury home crowd.
The 42-year-old’s contract is running out. There’s a chance her team won’t play at the Footprint Center this season, as they have two away games against the Minnesota Lynx to start the playoffs. And then there’s the indecision about her future as a player.
Overall, there is a possibility that the Mercury’s final game of the season against the Seattle Storm will be the last home game for the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.
The Mercury released a tribute video with the noun “If that’s it…”
Penny Taylor, Taurasi’s wife, begins the video by reading a letter to Taurasi.
Dear Dee –
Love,
We all pic.twitter.com/SnO1q10Fdp— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) 19 September 2024
The video also features current teammate Brittney Griner, Taurasi’s agent, and her sister.
“If that’s it, thank you for letting us share in the joy,” the letter says. “For the banners and MVPs, for 10,000 (points), for letting me see you on the podium six times. For letting us call you ‘GOAT’ even though you hate it. And for the technical details where you really got your money’s worth.”
Phoenix will distribute T-shirts with the letter to all fans who attend the regular season finale on Thursday.
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) 19 September 2024
Taurasi said Tuesday she has not yet made a decision on whether she will continue playing after this season.
“I don’t know,” Taurasi told reporters in Los Angeles. “The last few weeks have been pretty nerve-wracking for me. I don’t want to make any emotional, hasty decisions. I know the end is near. When that will be, I don’t know.”
“I’ve always been a person who just focuses on what’s next. And that’s practice tomorrow and then (against) Seattle on Thursday. I think when the season is over, I’ll reflect and get advice from the people closest to me.”
Diana Taurasi GOAT jerseys on sale Thursday
The Mercury will have a special edition GOAT jersey for sale in the team shop on Thursday night. The jerseys feature the silhouette of a goat protruding from the number 3 on the jersey.
