Diana Taurasi returning for 20th season with Phoenix Mercury

On Monday, the 41-year-old guard confirmed to reporters during Mercury exit interviews that she indeed will fulfill the second year of the two-year contract she signed in the offseason.

“I’ve got another year (on) my contract and I’m definitely going to fulfill that,” Taurasi said.

The Mercury’s season ended Sunday, but Taurasi was already preparing for next season on Monday.

“I’m just excited,” Taurasi said. “I’m ready to go. I already worked out this morning and the (offseason’s) started for me already.”

Taurasi had an up-and-down season in 2023. The year started out slow for her, but Taurasi picked her play up as she neared the milestone of becoming the first player in WNBA history to reach 10,000 career points. She even had 42 points, her career-high for a regulation game, on the night she reached 10,000. While aspects of her game, such as defense, have depreciated, she showed she is still valuable to the success of the Mercury, appearing in eight of the team’s nine victories this season.

Taurasi has dealt with numerous injuries over the past few seasons dating back to 2019. In 2023, she missed 14 games due to injury. In 26 appearances, she averaged 16 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Her field goal percentage of 40.3% was her highest since the 2020 season. Her 3-point percentage of 34.2% was a tick above where it was in 2021 and 2022 as well.

Want even more women’s sports in your inbox?

Subscribe now to our sister publication The IX and receive our independent women’s sports newsletter six days a week. Learn more about your favorite athletes and teams around the world competing in soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, hockey and gymnastics from our incredible team of writers.

Readers of The Next now save 50% on their subscription to The IX.

Mercury center Brittney Griner, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, said she has no plans of going anywhere but Phoenix. She was her typical, jovial self when discussing her longtime colleagues’s decision to play at least one more season.

“I’m looking forward to next year and (Diana) better come back,” Griner said. “She has no choice. I told her she can’t retire until I retire.”

Interim head coach Nikki Blue was also grateful Taurasi decided to return.

“Amazing,” Blue said. “Thank goodness. The (greatest of all time) is back. Never have to question Diana’s offseason and her training. She has this incredible work ethic. And the reason why she’s able to last so long in this league is just her being able to preserve her body. She takes care of her body really well and she has a work ethic like none other. And so I’m actually excited to see what is to come for this next year. … Is this the retirement year? I don’t know.”