Diana Taurasi, The Phoenix Mercury’s Blazing Star
With over 500 games played in nearly two decades, Diana Taurasi continues to bring in points for the Phoenix Mercury.
By Lian Maeko M. Gako
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Before beginning her professional basketball career with the Phoenix Mercury, Diana Taurasi has been blazing through the court since her high school days. Winning National High School Player of the Year soon translated to leading the University of Connecticut’s women’s basketball team to three consecutive national championships. Eventually, in 2004, she became the No. 1 Draft Pick for the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury.
In 2003, the Phoenix Mercury finished off their season with 8–26. The huge gap in wins to losses is evened out in the next season when Diana Taurasi played 34 games, averaging 17 points per game. Two years later, Taurasi peaked with an average of 25.3 points per game, leading Phoenix Mercury to end the 2006 season with 18–16.
Taurasi continued to hold onto her high averages until 2012, when a hip-flexor and ankle-related injury caused her to only participate in eight games and average 14 points per game. Her lack of presence was felt in the outcome of the Phoenix Mercury’s 2012 season where they lost 27 games and won seven, which is lower than the outcome of their 2003 season. Following this setback, Taurasi bounces back in the next season where she brings her average back up to 20.3 in the 32 games she played. Along with her rise, the Phoenix Mercury rose as well as they ended their season with 19–15.
Other seasons where the Phoenix Mercury lost Taurasi were in 2015 and 2019. In 2015, Taurasi decided to sit out the season, taking the time off to relax, according to ESPN. Four years later, Taurasi underwent back surgery, leaving her to play in only six games where she hits an all-time low of 4.3 average points per game. But as usual, Taurasi recovered in the next season with an average of 18.3 points per game in the 19 games she played.
Now, at 40 years old, Diana Taurasi continues to show her loyalty to the Phoenix Mercury. After re-signing a contract with the team, Taurasi is set to play for the 2023 season.
