This Wednesday could be Diana Taurasi’s last WNBA game.
With the Mercury losing to the Lynx, 102-95, in Game 1 of the playoffs on Sunday, they are on the edge of elimination. If Phoenix can’t win on Wednesday, fans might have an emotional night ahead. Despite this, Taurasi continues to break records. At 42, she became the oldest player in WNBA or NBA history to score over 20 points in a playoff game with her 21 points on Sunday.
Record-Breaking Performance
Diana Taurasi is the oldest player in WNBA/NBA history to score 20+ PTS in a playoff game.
โ StatMamba (@StatMamba)
Possible Farewell Game
Taurasi hasn’t confirmed her retirement plans yet, but last Thursday’s home game felt like a farewell. The Footprint Center was filled with love from teammates and fans. The Mercury faces a tough challenge against the Lynx, who finished second-best in the league this season.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier mentioned that it seems like Taurasi is on a retirement tour but isn’t sure about her plans. “I don’t know; she’s been pretty quiet about it,” said Collier. “…Hopefully, we can end her career on Wednesday [laughs].”
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was asked what Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi may do after the end of the season:
โHopefully we can end her career on Wednesday,โ Collier said jokingly.#WNBA #WNBAPlayoffs #ValleyTogether #LynxRecognize
โ Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo)
Fans think it’s sad if she leaves without a proper goodbye.
No Grand Farewell?
If Wednesday is indeed her final game, it would be an understated exit for someone who has been cherished by Phoenix fans for nearly two decades. But Taurasi has expressed she prefers it that way: “I wonโt be doing any [farewell] tours,” she recently said via Sportico’s Barry M. Bloom. “When I go, I’ll just go. Don’t we always just go?”
