Taurasi played her final game for the Mercury on Sept. 25 — Phoenix lost to the Minnesota Lynx 101-88 in the first round of the playoffs. She didn't comment on whether she would return at the time and left many fans wondering “if this is it," the exact verbiage the Mercury used to advertise the team's final regular-season home games.

The Phoenix Mercury announced Thursday it will retire Diana Taurasi's iconic No. 3 jersey during the 2026 WNBA season. Furthermore, she will be inducted into the Mercury's Ring of Honor. A specific date and further details for those celebrations are still to be determined.