Emotional Diana Taurasi addresses fans after Mercury's final regular-season home game: "If it is the last time, it felt like the first time"

After completing 20 regular seasons in the WNBA, Diana Taurasi may be contemplating retirement from the league. After the Phoenix Mercury's last regular-season home game on Thursday against the Seattle Storm, Taurasi addressed the Mercury crowd that it could be the last game she plays on their home court.

"There's really no place to start, there's always a place to finish, and it seems to be the same place," Taurasi said.

"As you guys know, when I got here in 2004, I kind of knew I was going to be here for a long time. I had a feeling that this was home. The people here, the city, and thinking back on 20 years and what we've done as a franchise, putting bends up in the stands, that was you guys.

"Knowing every single night that we came into this building, we had you guys behind our back. And if it is the last time, it felt like the first time."

When Taurasi hinted at the possibility of it being her last time on court, fans in the stadium erupted into a roar, chanting "One more year".

"I want to thank every single coach, every single player, single single that has put on a WNBA jersey," Taurasi continued.

"Our league is about uplifting each other at every turn, and to see where we are now, 28 years later, and for everyone who played before this league is where it is now, we're thankful for you guys, and we're thankful for the next generation.

"But if it is the last time, it felt like the first time. I love you guys," Taurasi concluded before dropping the mic.

Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury have clinched the seventh seed for the WNBA playoffs and will head to Minnesota to face the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday for the first round of the playoffs.

The three-time WNBA champion could return to home court if the Mercury secure a victory on the road in the best-of-three-game series.

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Diana Taurasi receives curtain call during potential final home game

As a cautionary move to allow rest ahead of the playoffs, the Phoenix Mercury's starters were limited in the third quarter and didn't play in the fourth against the Seattle Storm on Thursday.

However, with 3:11 remaining in the game, Diana Taurasi was checked back into the game after fans started chanting for the WNBA's all-time leading scorer.

She was met with a standing ovation. She remained in the game for six seconds before coming out again, hugging her parents who were sitting courtside before greeting her teammates on the bench.

The Mercury concluded their 2024 regular season with an 89-70 loss to the Storm. Diana Taurasi recorded nine points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal in what could be her final home game of her incredible WNBA career.