No More Denial 😭
She’s getting the full legend treatment…
The last thing I needed today was another reminder that Diana Taurasi is actually retiring. But the Phoenix Mercury woke up and chose violence, announcing in WNBA news they’ll be retiring her No. 3 jersey and inducting her into the Mercury Ring of Honor during the 2026 season. Yes, this is historic. Yes, she’s the greatest of all time. But also, no, I am not emotionally prepared for this.
She gave us everything – her fire, her loyalty, her greatness.
Diana Taurasi wasn’t just the face of the Mercury. She was the Mercury.
Summer of 2026 her name and number will hang where they belong – forever. pic.twitter.com/S9phdFlh5N
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) March 13, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury Have Officially Decided to Ruin My Life
You don’t just replace Diana Taurasi. She’s not some “next woman up” situation. She’s the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer (10,646 points), fourth in assists (2,394), and the proud owner of three WNBA championships, two Finals MVPs, eleven All-Star nods, and six Olympic gold medals. I don’t think I could even name 6 things I’m good at.
Defenses rejoice. The incredible career of @DianaTaurasi has come to an end.
🐐WNBA MVP
🐐 14x All-WNBA
🐐 11x WNBA All-Star
🐐 3x NCAA Champion
🐐 3x WNBA Champion
🐐 2x WNBA Finals MVP
🐐 2004 1st overall Pick
🐐 WNBA Rookie of the Year
🐐 6x Olympic Gold Medalist
🐐 5x WNBA… pic.twitter.com/OtW95iAqcv— espnW (@espnW) February 25, 2025
And now, she’s getting the full legend treatment. Her jersey is going up into the rafters, right next to Mercury icons like Penny Taylor, Michele Timms, and Jennifer Gillom. The franchise already named their practice facility courts after her (as they should). And come 2026, when they have the official retirement ceremony, I think I might be a mess.
“I don’t think it’s felt real until just now.”
Diana Taurasi sits down with the @phoenixmercury to reflect on her legendary 20-year career 💐 pic.twitter.com/FBC0r4T19i
— WNBA (@WNBA) March 13, 2025
What Even Is a Mercury Without Taurasi?
With Taurasi officially out, the Mercury are in uncharted waters. Right now, they’re sitting at +1200 to win the 2025 WNBA Championship. To put that into perspective, the New York Liberty are at +225, and the Las Vegas Aces are at +280.
That said, it’s not like Phoenix is suddenly a lottery team. The Phoenix Mercury roster still has talent. But let’s not act like you can just replace a player who spent 20 seasons of WNBA games making defenders look foolish and hitting crazy shots (just check out Diana Taurasi stats if you don’t believe me). If the Mercury somehow defies the odds and makes a run, it’ll be on pure vibes because their greatest security blanket is officially gone.
After 20 years of playing in the WNBA, Diana Taurasi is officially retiring 🧡
Thank you Diana for changing the game forever, all of the accolades could never amount to the type of person and edge you embodied when you stepped out there on the court
One-of-One 💐 pic.twitter.com/dEtE4NDrGH
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 25, 2025
So yes, congrats to Taurasi, congrats to the Mercury, congrats to literally everyone except me, who will be emotionally unstable about this for the foreseeable future. They’ll be raising her jersey in 2026, and I’ll be raising a glass. Probably several.
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