Diana Taurasi, a star for the Phoenix Mercury and a UConn great, received a pass, and the ball went out of her hands in a second. Like so many other 3-point attempts, this one also went into the net.
With 8:23 left in the third quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Atlanta Dream, Taurasi became the first WNBA player to achieve 10,000 points.
Following the shot, the Phoenix audience exploded in applause, and Taurasi’s teammates gathered around her in a circle to celebrate while leaping up and down.
“It was a cool night — you couldn’t have wrote this any better for our fans and our city,” Taurasi said. “I’m really thankful for my teammates because moments like this, it’s everyone’s moment. They really came with me and wanted me to do it tonight.”
Taurasi gave a classic effort, scoring a season-high 42 points on 12 of 21 shooting, including 6 of 13 from three-point range, to remind everyone just how outstanding she has been throughout her career.
In addition, she made all 12 of her free throws as the Mercury triumphed 91-71.
The 41-year-old guard concluded the game with 10,024, having begun the game needing 18 points to reach 10,000.
“Tomorrow, I’ll feel like I’m 50,” Taurasi said grinning.
“On behalf of the WNBA and basketball fans worldwide, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Diana on reaching the incredible milestone of 10,000 points as she continues to author new chapters is an illustrious WNBA career.” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
About two minutes into the game on Thursday, Taurasi opened the scoring with a corner 3-pointer, and a few minutes later, she drove through the Atlanta defense for a layup. By halftime, she had 10 points.
She immediately resumed her offensive efforts in the third quarter, making a layup on the Mercury’s opening possession. She then made back-to-back 3-pointers, the latest of which was a 28-footer over two defenders to bring her total to 10,000.
“I came here a little nervous, I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, I just wanted to get it over with for a sense of relief,” Taurasi said. “But at the same time, I was just focusing on trying to win a game.”
The Mercury have had a difficult year, as evidenced by their 7-19 record. However, this was a victory that the entire franchise could rejoice in. The NBA commissioner Adam Silver, tennis legend Billie Jean King, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson were among those who paid respect to Taurasi at a postgame celebration.
Since she was selected first overall in the 2004 draft out of UConn, Taurasi has been the cornerstone of the Phoenix organization.
She not only owns the record for most points scored in a career during the regular season but also throughout the playoffs.
For the Mercury, she has three WNBA titles, and she has twice been named Finals MVP.
