Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi defers retirement decision, talks Kobe Bryant

Once again, Diana Taurasi experienced the love from her high school alma mater. Once again, Taurasi became inspired by competing in the same building where the late Kobe Bryant often excelled. Once again, Taurasi helped the Phoenix Mercury to a signature win.

These moments soon became yearly rituals anytime Taurasi played the Los Angeles Sparks during her 20-year WNBA career at Crypto.com Arena formerly known as Staples Center. But as the Mercury finished with an 85-81 win over the Sparks on Tuesday, did this also mark Taurasi’s final game in LA?

“I don’t know,” Taurasi said afterward. “The last couple of weeks have been a little nerve-wracking for me. I don’t want to make any emotional or rash decisions. I know the end is near. But when that is, I don’t know. I’ve always been a person that concentrates on what’s next.”

So what’s next? Technically, the Mercury (19-20) will play the Seattle Storm (24-15) on Thursday in its final regular-season game. Then, No. 7 Phoenix will face the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx starting Sunday in a best-of-three first-round playoff series. The Mercury have experienced an inconsistent season amid overlapping injuries to their core roster. Yet, Phoenix still holds out hope with competing for a WNBA championship amid a strong core featuring Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, Brittney Griner, and Natasha Cloud.

Taurasi’s legacy already seems set with three WNBA championships, five scoring titles, and two Finals MVPs. Nonetheless, she sounded determined to collect more hardware before considering her future.

“When the season is over, I guess I’ll reflect and get advice from the people that are close to my heart and have been with me from day one,” Taurasi said. “But who knows.”

Diana Taurasi sets timeline for retirement decision

Taurasi may make that decision as early as next week following a possible first-round exit and as late as late October when the WNBA Finals ends. For now, though, Taurasi has focused on still playing at a high level.

During the Paris Olympics, Taurasi became Team USA’s all-time leader for most Olympic medals (six gold). During the WNBA season, Taurasi has averaged a robust 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in 29.3 minutes. At 42 years old, Taurasi has stayed disciplined by mastering what she calls “the everyday grind.”

“If you want to have success and longevity, there’s no magic tricks,” Taurasi said. “It’s just being consistent at the little things every single day. In saying that, there’s ups, there’s downs. But if you can come back the next day and do it again and do it again and do it again, that’s what sets you apart in any field, especially in sports.”

Another thing that has set Taurasi apart: is how she has both empowered and challenged Mercury first-year head coach Nate Tibbetts.

Taurasi praised Tibbetts for “changing the whole mindset of this franchise” after missing the WNBA playoffs last season amid a mid-season coaching change (Vanessa Nygaard, Nikki Blue). Yet, Tibbetts shared that Taurasi will hardly hesitate to inquire about a playcall or strategy.

“When I walk in every day and get ready to present the team with a plan, I have to be ready with a question from DT. That makes me better,” Tibbetts said. “There is no winging it. We have to have a plan because she’s very detail-oriented. She’s seen everything. She’s seen things that have worked, and things that haven’t worked.”

That perspective came full circle during the Mercury’s win over the Sparks.

Taurasi finished with 13 points and five assists, but she shot only 4-for-13 overall and 2-for-9 from deep. Despite her poor shooting and turnovers (three), Taurasi still thrived, remaining a scoring and passing threat. That took place in front of friends and teammates at Don Lugo High School in Chino, California where she once played. Taurasi also competed in a building that now features two statues of Bryant – one in a No. 8 jersey and another with his daughter, Gianna. That moment took place about 4 ½ years after Taurasi gave a speech in the same building at Bryant’s memorial.

“To be honest, I just have one memory and that’s saying goodbye to Kobe. That’s a big reason why I approach the game the way I do,” Taurasi said. “I saw him do it from far away, from close, at the beginning of his career and from the middle and at the end. It didn’t matter. That, to me, is always going to be the biggest moment in this building. It exceeds any basket and any win that’s been in my career.”

As much as Taurasi has tried to emulate Bryant, she does not want the farewell tour that the former Lakers star received during his 20th NBA season. Throughout the 2015-16 campaign, Bryant played in the opposing team’s arenas after hearing video tributes and receiving various gifts. The same fans that once booed Bryant soon cheered for him at least before and after the game.

Bryant originally did not want such a reception, either. After experiencing issues from three previous season-ending injuries, however, however, Bryant eventually embraced the curtain call. Taurasi did not seem ready to exit the stage just yet, though she admitted she had come close. At least for one more week, Taurasi plans to embrace the thrill and agony that happens during the playoffs.

“You have to go through the bad and the ugly. If you can pick yourself up and try to be better the next day, that’s what makes you who you are at the end of the day,” Taurasi said. “Those moments don’t define who you are as a person or as a player. It’s how you react to them. It’s how it helps you become a better player, person, teammate, family member, and a better citizen in this country. All of those little moments add up to who you are.”