Storm defeat Mercury 89-70, Taurasi"s potential farewell game
- Nneka Ogwumike scored 17 points, leading the Storm to victory.
- Diana Taurasi played 18 minutes, scoring nine points in what could be her final home game.
- The Storm's win solidifies their playoff position, while Taurasi's future remains uncertain.
On Thursday night, the Seattle Storm defeated the Phoenix Mercury 89-70, potentially marking the last home game for Diana Taurasi in her illustrious 20-year career. Nneka Ogwumike led the Storm with 17 points, while Taurasi managed only nine points in 18 minutes of play. The game began with Seattle dominating, scoring the first 10 points and leading 35-14 at the end of the first quarter, as the Mercury struggled offensively. Despite a better performance in the second quarter, where Phoenix cut the lead to 43-31 by halftime, they could not maintain momentum. The Storm regained control in the third quarter, extending their lead to 68-49. Although the Mercury attempted to rally in the fourth quarter, Seattle consistently pushed back, securing a decisive victory. The game was significant for Taurasi, who received a heartfelt tribute from her teammates, who wore jerseys honoring her as the 'Greatest Of All Time.' The crowd chanted for her to return for another season, but the 42-year-old has not confirmed her plans for the future, leaving uncertainty about her career. With this win, the Storm secured the No. 5 playoff seed and will face the Las Vegas Aces in the first round. Meanwhile, the Mercury, locked in as the No. 7 seed, will play against the Minnesota Lynx, who could potentially end Taurasi's career if they sweep the series. The outcome of these playoffs will determine if fans see Taurasi on the court again.