Diana Taurasi got a pass and in a moment, the shot was off her fingertips. It was a 3-pointer that sprinkled through the net, very much like so many others.
Taurasi turned into the main WNBA player to reach 10,000 points, stirring things up around town with 8:23 excess in the third quarter against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday night. The Phoenix erupted in cheers after the shot, and Taurasi’s teammates surrounded her in a circle and celebrated by jumping up and celebrating.
“It was a cool night — you couldn’t have wrote this any better for our fans and our city,” Taurasi said. “I’m really thankful for my teammates because moments like this, it’s everyone’s moment. They really came with me and wanted me to do it tonight.”
It was a one of a kind performance from Taurasi, who reminded everybody exactly how unbelievable she’s been in her vocation with a season-high 42 focuses on 12 of 21 shooting, including 6 of 13 from 3-point range. She also made all 12 of her free throws, resulting in a 91-71 Mercury victory.
The 41-year-old guard began the late evening requiring 18 focuses to make it to 10,000 — and completed at 10,024.
“Tomorrow, I’ll feel like I’m 50,” Taurasi said grinning.
“On behalf of the WNBA and basketball fans worldwide, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Diana on reaching the incredible milestone of 10,000 points as she continues to author new chapters is an illustrious WNBA career.” WNBA Commissioner said in a statement.
“Diana’s achievement stands as a testament to her skill, determination, and unwavering dedication to the game, which along with her competitive nature, has captivated fans with her incredible scoring ability, clutch performances, and unparalleled basketball IQ. We are honored to witness this milestone.”
Taurasi kicked her scoring off Thursday with a corner 3-pointer around two minutes into the game and afterward passed through the Atlanta guard for a layup a couple of moments later. She had 10 focuses by halftime.
She was right once again at it in the third quarter, hitting a layup on the Mercury’s most memorable belonging. Then she hit consecutive 3-pointers — the last a 28-footer over two defenders that got her to 10,000 points.
“I came here a little nervous, I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, I just wanted to get it over with for a sense of relief,” Taurasi said. “But at the same time, I was just focusing on trying to win a game.”
It’s been an intense year for the Mercury, who have a 7-19 record. Yet, this was a second the entire franchise could celebrate. In a postgame celebration, Taurasi was introduced a few gifts and listened to a few recognitions on the video board, including from NBA magistrate Adam Silver, tennis symbol Billie Jean Lord, South Carolina mentor Day break Staley and Lobby of Famer Wizardry Johnson.
Taurasi has been the foundation of the Phoenix franchise since she was drafted first in 2004 out of UConn. She not exclusively is the vocation customary season scoring pioneer, yet in addition holds that imprint in the end of the season games. She has represented the Mercury in three WNBA championships and has twice been named Finals MVP.
Taurasi has found the middle value of in excess of 19 places in her career, remembering a career-high 25.3 points for 2006. She is in excess of 2,500 focuses in front of Tina Thompson, who is second on the scoring list with 7,488 places.
Cheyenne Parker had 20 points for the Fantasy.
