Team USA clinching their eighth consecutive gold made history. But Diana Taurasi claiming her sixth Olympic gold was the highlight. While she couldn’t make her presence in the Final, the Phoenix GOAT ensured adding another feather to her hat in her illustrious career. That was also the moment that initiated experts discussing her retirement. Although the WNBA star shut the door in their face then, it seems like those conversations will soon turn into reality.

The Phoenix Mercury recently posted a tweet on their official X account, which saw Diana Taurasi being the central topic. The post read, “𝐈𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭  You have two more opportunities to see the Greatest of All-Time at home.” Accompanying the message was a heartfelt video showcasing Taurasi’s incredible 20-year career, from her draft day to her current season, capturing key moments of her legendary journey with the Mercury. Additionally, the text in the video read, “If this is it. Be there.”

The Mercury have already secured a playoff spot but have four regular-season games remaining. Among them, they’ll host the Connecticut Sun and the Seattle Storm at Footprint Arena. Whether they’ll have another home game in the playoffs will depend on the results of the first two fixtures against their seeded opponents.

So far this season, Taurasi has appeared in 32 of the 36 regular-season games played by the Mercury. While there is no official statement from the 3x WNBA champion yet, the tweet has potentially stirred the pot about the legend’s retirement.

Phoenix Mercury’s latest post for Diana Taurasi gets fans on their toes

As for the Mercury GOAT, retirement from the national career already hit hard for the fans. Leaving the desert has also not been an inviting thought either. Despite a challenging Olympic stint where she played fewer minutes, Taurasi is having a strong season with the Mercury, averaging 15.1 points per game. Her leadership, though less visible in the box score, has been instrumental in Phoenix’s and Team USA’s success overall. One fan found the news about her retirement hard to believe. They commented on the post asking the franchise if the UConn alum is bidding adieu to the W as well.

“DT retiring??”

Diana Taurasi joined the Mercury at just 22 years old. Fresh off her collegiate triumphs, few could have predicted she would remain with the same franchise for two decades. Her unwavering loyalty has forged a unique bond with the ‘X-Factor’, highlighting her deep connection and lasting impact on the franchise. With that, her potential retirement is understandably a tough pill for fans to swallow, as some of them were reluctant to accept the probable end of an era.

“This can’t be it…. won’t accept it”    

The 42-year-old guard played a pivotal role in the Mercury’s three WNBA championship seasons. In 2009, she led the charge, guiding her team to their second title while earning Finals MVP honors for her standout performance. While that, along with the fact that she is WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, places her as a Mercury GOAT, she can even continue to serve the team after her retirement in a different role. A follower accepted the reality and wished she could continue being involved with the franchise even after her playing career in the league came to a halt. Something that many former WNBA stars have done.

“DT is the GOAT but it’s time. She can help the team and the valley in another way 🐐”

The Phoenix Mercury is known for its playful approach to engaging fans, from pranks to fun activities with the team. These antics are great for building a strong connection with their loyal followers. However, their recent tweet has sparked anxiety among supporters. One X user expressed frustration and wasn’t certainly thrilled with the tweet that hinted at Taurasi’s final days with the franchise.

“Youre not funny”

Despite the tweet, it’s still not official that Taurasi will announce her retirement after this season. If the Mercury makes a strong playoff run, the 11x WNBA All-Star could have another shot at playing at home. Currently, as the bottom seed, the Mercury will only have one home game in the first round if they advance. The use of ‘if’ in the post leaves room for doubt. With that in mind, a fan pointed it out, showing their frustration and inability to accept just what might happen after the 28th WNBA season ends.

“EXCUSE ME? WHAT DO YOU MEAN IF THIS IS IT”