When the game ended, the lights dimmed in the seating areas as the spotlight beamed on Taurasi at center court. Before she addressed the crowd, a tribute video for Taurasi played on the screen above. It was the same video that the Mercury social media account posted to X on Thursday afternoon, teasing a potential retirement announcement.

It’s well known that Diana Taurasi could be playing her last WNBA regular season game tonight. The Phoenix Mercury social media admins have certainly hinted at the possibility, spearheading an “If this is it” campaign and posting a tribute video to her earlier on Thursday.

The crowd interrupted Taurasi when she first said "If it is the last time." Taurasi responded with her trademark dry humor and a dig at former UConn teammate Sue Bird, who retired two years ago and was in attendance: "I think they tricked Sue with that one last time."