Skip to main content

Is retirement coming for Diana Taurasi?

The Phoenix Mercury point guard, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in history, is finishing up her 20th season in the WNBA.

WNBA: Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks
WNBA: Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Noa Dalzell is a senior writer covering the WNBA and all of women’s basketball for Breakaway, SB Nation’s women’s sports vertical, as well as the Celtics for CelticsBlog.

For the past few weeks, the Phoenix Mercury have hinted on social media that retirement could be coming for Diana Taurasi, the all-time leading scorer in WNBA history and one of the greatest to ever play the game.

The campaign — tagged ‘If this is it’ — urged fans to purchase tickets to the Mercury’s last games of the season, just in case the 42-year-old point guard is retiring.

Taurasi is the oldest player in the WNBA by five years, and she’s continued playing at a high level this season despite some undeniable drop-off in her game. This season, she’s averaged 15.1 points and 3.4 assists, shooting 40.1% from the field and 32.9% from three. While those numbers are below her career averages, she continues to be a positive contributor for the 7th seeded Mercury.

Taurasi was noncommittal when asked about her prospective retirement after the Mercury’s Tuesday night win over the Los Angeles Sparks.

“You know, I don’t know,” Taurasi said . “The last couple of weeks have been a little nerve-racking for myself. I don’t want to make any emotional, rash decisions. I know the end is near. When that is, I don’t know.”

The Mercury have one regular season game left, a home match-up against the Seattle Storm on Thursday. If Taurasi retires this offseason, that could be her last time playing in front of her fans in Phoenix. The Mercury are set to face the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs in a best-of-three series. The first two games will be played in Minneapolis, and if they are able to steal a win, the deciding third game will be played in Phoenix.

“I’ve always been a person that just concentrates on what’s next,” Taurasi said. “And that’s practice tomorrow and then Seattle on Thursday. I guess when the season’s over, I’ll reflect and I’ll get advice from the people that are closest to my heart.”

Widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Taurasi helped Phoenix win three WNBA championships in her 20-year career. Her list of accolades is a lengthy one: 6 Olympic gold medals for Team USA, one WNBA MVP award, two Finals MVP awards, five scoring titles, and 14 All-WNBA selections, and the list goes on. She expressed gratitude for her relationship with the Mercury organization.

“I’m grateful that [we’re] able to have these conversations and let me really do it the way I want to do it,” she said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people, and someone once told me, ‘You don’t get to pick your ending sometimes.’ So, when it ends, it ends. It’s been a fun ride.”

See More:

More in WNBA

WNBA
We’re having the wrong conversations about Angel ReeseWe’re having the wrong conversations about Angel Reese
WNBA

Angel Reese has began the 2026 WNBA season for the Dream doing what she’s always done: Getting better every year.

By Thilo Latrell Widder
WNBA
The New York Liberty have completely bounced backThe New York Liberty have completely bounced back
WNBA

The Liberty began the season 3-4 and appeared to be stumbling. They’ve since turned it around.

By Noa Dalzell
WNBA
Undrafted WNBA rookie just had a monster performanceUndrafted WNBA rookie just had a monster performance
WNBA

Sydney Taylor was relatively unknown as she began her WNBA journey. Now, the undrafted rookie is establishing herself as among the best scorers in the class.

By Noa Dalzell
WNBA
3 potential destinations for recently-waived WNBA veteran3 potential destinations for recently-waived WNBA veteran
WNBA

Lexie Brown’s time in Seattle has come to an end — but could she find herself contributing to another WNBA franchise?

By Noa Dalzell
WNBA
Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, and the top second-year WNBA players, rankedPaige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, and the top second-year WNBA players, ranked
WNBA

Last year’s WNBA rookies have continued their excellent play into their record season — a class that includes Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Carla Leite, Dominique Malonga, and other standouts.

By Noa Dalzell
WNBA
Angel Reese, Carla Leite, and the most impactful WNBA acquisitions, rankedAngel Reese, Carla Leite, and the most impactful WNBA acquisitions, ranked
WNBA

WNBA players like Angel Reese, Natasha Howard, Gabby Williams, and Marina Mabrey all switched teams in the offseason. Here’s how they’ve impacted their new teams.

By Noa Dalzell

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...