Regarded as one of the most exceptional female basketball players in history, Diana Taurasi accomplished a remarkable feat on the evening of Thursday. The accomplished American basketball athlete etched her name in history as the inaugural player in the annals of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to amass 10,000 career points. This historic achievement took place during a face-off against the Atlanta Dream at the Footprint Center situated in Arizona. With 8 minutes and 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Taurasi skillfully sank a 28-foot 3-pointer, etching her name in history. Her moniker, “White Mamba,” aptly fitting her prowess, contributed a phenomenal 42 points in a triumphant 91-71 victory for the Phoenix Mercury against the Atlanta Dream. The current tally of points under her belt stands at an impressive 10,024.
Reflecting on her accomplishment, Taurasi shared, “The elation is twofold as it coincides with our victory in the game. This year, we’ve been investing relentless effort, and circumstances haven’t consistently favored us… This triumph resonates deeply with the entire team. Personally, I sensed a certain rhythm, and my teammates were attuned to setting me up. Sometimes, shots find their mark as a manifestation of fate aligning. Today undeniably belonged to me.” Taurasi conveyed these sentiments during her appearance on the Prime Video broadcast.
The eve prior to her milestone performance, Diana Taurasi needed a mere 18 points to attain the momentous feat. By halftime, she had already amassed 10 points. Notably, she achieved her first 40-point game since July 14, 2010, a feat well-documented by ESPN Stats & Information research. An impressive point to note is that, at the age of 41, she assumes the mantle as the most senior player to achieve a 40-point game in the annals of WNBA history.
League commissioner Cathy Engelbert conveyed, “On behalf of the WNBA and ardent basketball enthusiasts worldwide, I extend profound felicitations to Diana for crossing the extraordinary threshold of 10,000 points. This achievement serves as a testament to her finesse, resolute determination, and unwavering commitment to the sport. These attributes, coupled with her innate competitive spirit, have endeared her to fans, who marvel at her exceptional scoring finesse, clutch performances, and unparalleled basketball acumen. We feel honored to have been spectators to this remarkable milestone.” Engelbert articulated this sentiment in an official statement.
Amongst active players, Connecticut Sun’s DeWanna Bonner ranks second in terms of WNBA points. The disparity between her and Diana Taurasi is notably substantial, with Taurasi leading by around 3,300 points. In a broader context, the second spot on the all-time players’ list is occupied by former WNBA athlete Tina Thompson, hailing from the United States. A total of 7,488 points embellish her illustrious career. Taurasi etched her name in history by surpassing Thompson’s record in the year 2017.
The Phoenix Mercury made Taurasi their first pick in the 2004 draft from UConn. During her spectacular tenure with the Mercury, Taurasi gloriously clinched three WNBA championships for the franchise, twice earning the coveted MVP of the Finals title