CHICAGO -- Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi stated Saturday that she intends to finish her current contract which runs through 2022. She will wait to see how she feels in the offseason after the 2021 WNBA Finals, before making a decision about whether or not she wants to retire.
"I hope I can fulfill my obligation. As the Mercury prepare for Sunday's Game 4, Taurasi said to ESPN, "But you never know." ET, ESPN/ESPN App at Chicago's Wintrust Arena. The WNBA's offseason is very long. It is eight months long, even though you don't play overseas. This allows you to be game-ready mentally and physically.
Taurasi and Penny Taylor, her wife of Mercury player Penny Taylor, welcomed their second child, Isla, on Oct. 9. She joined Leo, their 3-year-old son. Taurasi is wrapping up her 17th season with the WNBA. In June, she will be 40.
Taurasi stated that next season, "It's something that I'll talk to Penny and my families and really just do some soul-searching. I'll take it slow. "When the season is over, I'll go on vacation as I do in the offseason.
In their best-of-5 series, Taurasi and Mercury trail the Chicago Sky by 2-1. Phoenix fell to 86-50 on Friday. This was the biggest loss in WNBA Finals History.
Taurasi, who was unable to play in 16 regular-season games due to ankle, sternum and foot injuries, has won at all levels, including the NCAA championships at UConn and an Olympic gold medal in August. Taurasi stated that she was in her senior year of high school in California when she last played in a championship series or game and didn't win.
What keeps her coming back to you?
Taurasi stated, "It sounds so simple, but it's still something I love to do." "And when you go into that deep pit of not playing anymore, it's for ever. You don't get back from that decision after you turn 40. Perhaps when you are 25. But I'm done when I'm done.
"Imagining myself in the Finals right this moment, it's hard not to feel that desire to win and be with these guys. So, while I love to play, I also love to grind.
Diana Taurasi is an active participant in nine of Phoenix’s playoff games. She averages 17.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Taurasi was asked if her decision to keep going will be more determined by how she feels mentally or physically.
It is not an easy task to keep your mind focused. Taurasi, who competed in nine of Phoenix’s 10 playoff games, said that it is essential to be committed if you want to play the entire season. Or the season will become very long and very challenging. Then, you feel physically worn down.
"So the question is, "Am I willing to work six months to be able play?" It's not possible to take off four months and expect that you will be able to play with these children for the next four months.
Taurasi stated that she enjoys being part of this Mercury team. She is still very effective. She averaged 15.2 PPG, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in the regular season. In the semifinal series against Las Vegas she scored 37 points, which was a playoff record. Her averages for this postseason are 17.8 ppg, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.0 APG.
Taurasi, who is already the WNBA's leading scorer with 9,174 points, could reach 10,000. However, that would likely take more than one season. For that milestone, she would need 826 points. She has already surpassed 800 points twice in her career (2006 and 2008). In 2018, she had 682 points, which was her highest score in the last five years.
Taurasi stated that she was in her senior year of high school in California when she last participated in a championship series or game. Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Taurasi stated, right after the Olympic gold medal game, "See In Paris," referring to the 2024 Summer Olympics. Although it may have been a joke Taurasi might not be done with USA Basketball.
Taurasi's experience leadership may be required at least once more for the FIBA World Cup, which is scheduled from Sept. 22 through Oct. 1.
Sue Bird, a longtime USA teammate, said that she had participated in her last Olympics. She won her fifth Tokyo Games gold and it is unclear if she will compete in any other international events.
Taurasi stated, "I believe if you look at the future and I play in the WNBA [next year], it kinda leads up to playing directly into the World Cup." "And I'll speak to USA Basketball to see what they want. You know that sometimes it's necessary to move on. I get that.
Taurasi stated that Bird, who turns 41 on Saturday, and she communicate a lot about their futures. Bird admitted that she would need to take some time to consider whether Bird will be returning for a 19th season after Bird's Seattle Storm loss to Phoenix in round two of the playoffs.
Taurasi stated that the conversation about playing and not playing has been ongoing for at least two to three years. "As the season draws near, we both enter into competitive mode and always end up playing again. We still love it.
Taurasi stated that she doesn't spend much time contemplating her second act after she finishes performing.
She said, "Every time that I try to think about it, it's this: Drinking lots of coffee, hanging with my family." It's very simple. I don't know whether I have the energy or will to imagine a new role in my life. It would require me to think about all the things I don't like doing.
Taurasi stated that while she is honored to have been named the WNBA's greatest ever player by fans, she also has too much respect for other players in order to claim this title. She said that none of this is why she plays.
Taurasi stated that he had "kind of ignored it all to tell the truth." "I don’t use social media. I don’t get into the rabbit hole of what other people think and say about me. My friends, my family and my coaches are what I am most concerned about.
It's nice when people speak highly of me. However, it doesn't make my happy. It doesn't make me happy. It's the relationships that I have built here in Phoenix, and my family. These are the things I have poured my heart into. All that other stuff is hot air at the end of the day.
