Overview
- The Mercury raised Taurasi’s No. 3 into the Mortgage Matchup Center rafters and inducted her into the franchise Ring of Honor during a sold-out halftime ceremony on Sunday with an announced attendance of 16,513.
- Taurasi spent 20 seasons with Phoenix from 2004 through 2024, retired officially in early 2025, and leaves as the WNBA’s career scoring leader with more than 10,000 points and a résumé of championships and major awards.
- City and team commemorations leading up to the game included renaming the street outside the arena to 10466 Taurasi Way, unveiling a downtown mural, and refurbishing three community courts featuring a No. 3/GOAT motif.
- The halftime and postgame events were star-studded and highly choreographed, with notable attendees, fan giveaways such as GOAT plush toys and commemorative T‑shirts, and a postgame ceremony where 20 former players, coaches or executives represented years from Taurasi’s career.
- Taurasi used the platform to thank Phoenix, signaled interest in staying connected to the team including a hope to be involved in ownership, and the scale of the weekend reinforced the Mercury’s and the WNBA’s growing mainstream visibility.