PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi, a legendary figure for the Phoenix Mercury, hinted in July that she recognizes “the end is closer than the beginning,” especially with the approach of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she secured her record-breaking sixth gold medal.

While Taurasi confirmed that the Paris Games would mark her final appearance, her future with the Phoenix Mercury after this season remains uncertain.

This past Thursday, the Mercury’s social media team unintentionally caused excitement among fans when they tweeted a mysterious message suggesting that Taurasi’s retirement might be on the horizon sooner than expected.

“If this is it . there are two more home games remaining to see the greatest shooter in league history take the court,” the Mercury posted. Accompanying their message was a graphic that read “Thank you for the shots we knew were going in before they left your hand.”

Taurasi has dedicated her entire 20-year career to the Mercury, helping them win three WNBA championships, the last of which was in 2014.

The 2014 championship-winning team of the Mercury gathered on Friday at Phoenix’s Footprint Center to celebrate the decade anniversary of their victory. A ceremony took place after the Mercury lost 88-69 to the Connecticut Sun. Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and former teammates DeWanna Bonner, Penny Taylor (Taurasi’s spouse), Tiffany Bias, Anete Jekabsone-Zogota, Ewelina Kobryn, Shay Murphy, Mistie Bass-Boyd, Erin Phillips, Candice Dupree and former coach Sandy Brondello (who coached from 2014 to 2021) were all in attendance.

“Being here ten years later with all of you feels like a sisterhood,” Taurasi shared after scoring seven points during the game. “We will always be connected through this trophy, this city, and this team. Now let’s aim for another title.”

Taurasi’s children, Leo and Isla, were present, providing a perfect backdrop for any retirement announcement. only to have Taurasi leave that topic unaddressed, concluding with the phrase, “Let’s do it again.”

Taurasi, who signed a two-year contract with the Mercury in February 2023, will become a free agent at the end of this season. She’s previously mentioned she prefers not to have a farewell tour, opting instead for a quiet exit.

“I’ll inform you all when I’m done because, at that point, you’ll no longer see me,” Taurasi told ESPN in 2022. “When I finish playing, I will simply stop. I won’t phase my way out. I want to continue playing, and if I become ineffective, I just won’t play anymore. Trust me, I’ll know during those winter practices, thinking to myself, ‘Hmm, that’s enough.’”

The Mercury have three regular season games left — at Chicago (Sept. 15), against Los Angeles (Sept. 17), and at Seattle (Sept. 19). Phoenix has secured a spot in the postseason and is currently ranked No. 7.