WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi became the first player in league history to reach 10,000 points Thursday night, making an indelible mark on an already illustrious career.
The 41-year-old point guard led her Phoenix Mercury to victory with 42 points in a rout over the Atlanta Dream, 91-71. Taurasi is far-and-away the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, more than 2,500 points ahead of second-place Tina Thompson.
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The crowd erupted as Taurasi sunk her 3-point jump shot to reach the historic milestone, and she was immediately surrounded by her teammates, who congratulated her.
Seen by many as the greatest women’s basketball player of all time, Taurasi is known for her slick handles and facilitating prowess, perhaps as much as her scoring ability. On the WNBA’s all-time assist list, she ranks number five, with a chance to keep moving up.
While the record counts regular season scoring, Taurasi is also the league’s all-time leading scorer in the playoffs, where she has won three WNBA championships and two Finals MVPs. She has been on the Mercury her entire WNBA career.
“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 in an illustrious WNBA career,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement, per the Associated Press.
“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.”
Despite the win Thursday night, the Mercury have had a disappointing season thus far, with a record of 7-19. Taurasi’s teammate on Phoenix is Brittney Griner, who was detained and held for 10 months in Russia on drug charges and released last December.
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The WNBA has seen a sharp rise in ratings in recent years. Combined viewership for the league across its national networks (ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2) is up 67% over last year, averaging 556,184 viewers, according to official NBA Communications.
“Currently this season is pacing to be the most-watched regular season across the league’s networks in over 20 years,” the official release stated in July.
