Diana Taurasi Retiring? Phoenix Mercury Hints at WNBA Legend’s Final Home Games

A ticket promotion from the Phoenix Mercury has raised some eyebrows about star player Diana Taurasi’s future in the WNBA. On Monday, the Mercury posted a cryptic video on social media, stating that Phoenix fans only have two more chances to see Taurasi play at home.

The video, which features footage of the 42-year-old guard throughout her career and the words “If This Is It,” strongly implies that this season will be Taurasi’s last. The post draws attention to Phoenix’s final home games of the season, both of which are in September.

Taurasi signed a two-year contract prior to the 2023 season, making her a free agent at the end of that season. Taurasi was drafted first overall by Phoenix in 2004 and has spent her entire career with the Mercury; if she were to retire, it would make sense for her to do so in a Mercury uniform.

Taurasi, who at 42 is the oldest active player in the league, has long held off on rumors of her retirement, but she has made it clear how she plans to proceed in retirement.

In 2022, she indicated that she wanted to continue playing for a while, but said that if she did stop, she would not slowly drop out.

In July, ahead of Taurasi’s appearance at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the guard joked to reporters that they would see her in L.A. in 2028 “on the beach with a beer” — hinting, at the very least, that Paris would be her final Olympics. Taurasi, who is one of three people to represent Team USA at six or more Olympics, won her sixth gold medal in Paris.

The 11-time WNBA All-Star has had another stellar year so far, averaging 15.1 points, four rebounds and 3.3 assists. (Taurasi also continued her proud tradition of leading the league in technical fouls, tying her Mercury teammate Natasha Cloud with seven so far this season.)

If Mercury’s conclusions are correct, Taurasi will play just four more regular-season games in a Phoenix uniform, including two home games: Sept. 13 against the Connecticut Sun and Sept. 19 against the Seattle Storm.

Phoenix is ​​currently seventh in the WNBA standings, meaning a playoff spot is within reach, which could extend Taurasi’s season a bit longer. However, the Mercury would receive a lower seed in the playoffs, meaning a home playoff appearance is unlikely.