"If this is the end..." - 2X WNBA champion gets candid on Diana Taurasi’s potential retirement

In an interview with ESPN in 2022, Diana Taurasi said that she was not going to “ease my way out.” The three-time WNBA champ isn’t interested in a farewell tour so the 2024 season could be the end of the road for her.

Taurasi has been quiet about her plans but will become an unrestricted free agent after this year. The Phoenix Mercury are going to the playoffs, ensuring basketball fans see her compete. After the postseason, it’s anybody’s guess if she’s done or not.

Breanna Stewart, the New York Liberty superstar had this to say about Diana Taurasi’s potential retirement after the playoffs:

“I don’t know what D’s [Taurasi] gonna do because as a basketball player, she wants to compete and she can still do it year after year. But if this is the end, my time kind of playing with Diana and against her has been nothing but short of incredible.

"She’s someone that I definitely look up to and was happy to share the court with her through three Olympics, which is insane.

Taurasi was in her 13th WNBA season when “Stewie” entered the pro ranks in 2016. They have had numerous battles, particularly when Stewart was with the Seattle Storm. The two don’t face each other as much following the two-time MVP’s move to New York in 2023.

Breanna Stewart mentioned playing in the Olympics thrice with Diana Taurasi. They won gold in 2016 (Rio de Janeiro), 2020 (Tokyo) and 2024 (France). Stewart, however, forgot they have been teammates on the international stage longer than that. They also earned gold medals in the 2014 World Cup in Turkey and helped Team USA defend the title four years later in Spain.

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Diana Taurasi helped the Mercury hand Breanna Stewart’s Liberty a rare loss this season

Breanna Stewart has anchored the New York Liberty’s dominance this season. New York leads the WNBA with a 31-7 record and will clinch the No. 1 seed if they win one of their two remaining games. Of the seven losses, one was dealt by the Phoenix Mercury in arguably Diana Taurasi’s best game this season.

The 12-2 Liberty met the 7-7 Mercury on Jun. 18 in Phoenix. “Stewie” had another superb outing, finishing the game with 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting, including 4-for-4 from deep. She added five assists, five steals and four assists. It was a dominating performance from the reigning MVP.

Diana Taurasi, though, stole some of the limelight. The 42-year-old veteran had 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one block. She repeatedly punctured New York’s defense with her passes and inside forays. Behind her, the Phoenix Mercury won 99-93.

Taurasi and Stewart met again in late August but the Liberty wouldn’t be denied this time. New York handily won 84-70 as its defense was ready for the wily playmaker in the rematch.