Sports activities
The WNBA celebrity simply achieved this unbelievable feat.
PHOENIX (AP) — Diana Taurasi obtained a go and immediately, the shot was off her fingertips. It was a 3-pointer that splashed via the web, identical to so many others.
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Taurasi turned the primary WNBA participant to succeed in 10,000 factors, hitting the mark with 8:23 remaining within the third quarter towards the Atlanta Dream on Thursday night time. After the shot, the group in Phoenix erupted in cheers and Taurasi’s teammates surrounded her in a circle, leaping up and down and celebrating.
“It was a cool night time — you couldn’t have wrote this any higher for our followers and our metropolis,” Taurasi mentioned. “I’m actually grateful for my teammates as a result of moments like this, it’s everybody’s second. They actually got here with me and needed me to do it tonight.”
It was a classic efficiency from Taurasi, who reminded everybody simply how unbelievable she’s been in her profession with a season-high 42 factors on 12 of 21 capturing, together with 6 of 13 from 3-point vary. She additionally hit all 12 of her free throws and the Mercury gained 91-71.
The 41-year-old guard began the night time needing 18 factors to make it to 10,000 — and completed at 10,024.
“Tomorrow, I’ll really feel like I’m 50,” Taurasi mentioned grinning.
“On behalf of the WNBA and basketball followers worldwide, I wish to lengthen my heartfelt congratulations to Diana on reaching the unbelievable milestone of 10,000 factors as she continues to creator new chapters is an illustrious WNBA profession.” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned in an announcement.
“Diana’s achievement stands as a testomony to her talent, dedication, and unwavering dedication to the sport, which alongside together with her aggressive nature, has captivated followers together with her unbelievable scoring potential, clutch performances, and unparalleled basketball IQ. We’re honored to witness this milestone.”
Taurasi obtained her scoring began Thursday with a nook 3-pointer about two minutes into the sport after which drove via the Atlanta protection for a layup a couple of minutes later. She had 10 factors by halftime.
She was proper again at it within the third quarter, hitting a layup on the Mercury’s first possession. Then she hit back-to-back 3-pointers — the final a 28-footer over two defenders that obtained her to 10,000 factors.
“I got here right here a bit of nervous, I didn’t wish to disappoint anybody, I simply needed to get it over with for a way of reduction,” Taurasi mentioned. “However on the identical time, I used to be simply specializing in attempting to win a sport.”
It’s been a tricky yr for the Mercury, who’ve a 7-19 file. However this was a second the entire franchise might have fun. In a postgame celebration, Taurasi was offered a number of items and listened to a number of tributes on the video board, together with from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, tennis icon Billie Jean King, South Carolina coach Daybreak Staley and Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson.
Taurasi has been the cornerstone of the Phoenix franchise since she was drafted first in 2004 out of UConn. She not solely is the profession regular-season scoring chief, but additionally holds that mark within the playoffs. She’s gained three WNBA championships for the Mercury and was twice the MVP of the Finals.
Taurasi has averaged greater than 19 factors in her profession, together with a career-high 25.3 factors in 2006. She is greater than 2,500 factors forward of Tina Thompson, who’s second on the scoring checklist with 7,488 factors.
Cheyenne Parker had 20 factors for the Dream.
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