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Diana Taurasi · Declarations remain unclear, as to whether or not September 25, 2024’s duel against the Minnesota Lynx offered the swan song of Diana Taurasi’s Hall of Fame-bound WNBA career. Nonetheless, the Phoenix Mercury legend ensured that the song’s lyrics would be similar to the soundtracks of her first two decades: swishes of the net, admiration of her name, and a rousing, standing ovation, even amidst a road playoff crowd. A fiery competitor until the final possession, Taurasi, with Phoenix hoping to spur a late, double-digit comeback, uses a pick-and-roll to force a potentially-profitable defensive switch. Migrating to the low block with a four-inch height advantage on Natisha Hiedeman, the WNBA all-time leading scorer — training drill-like in her execution — quickly catches an entry pass before turning over her shoulder for a turnaround hook. The Lynx would ultimately survive Phoenix, curtaining their season with a 2-0 series victory. Taurasi, one game removed from becoming league history’s first post-age-40 talent to log 20+ points, remained productive even so in Game Two, recording 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal, further padding her status as the postseason’s No. 1-ranked bucket-getter. · State of Mint