Some things are just timeless. Like the sounds of birds chirping in spring, the beauty of the Grand Canyon, and Diana Taurasi . At 41 years old, Taurasi is still crushing it on the basketball court, and she showed it once again on Sunday night, pouring in a season-high 31 points and draining seven of nine 3s in the Phoenix Mercury’s 87-68 win over the Los Angeles Sparks .
She also hit nine of 14 field-goal attempts. It was the fourth time Taurasi has gone for 20-plus points this season, including just over a week ago, when she scored 28 in a 107-92 loss to Dallas. Taurasi did it all against the Sparks, knocking down catch-and-shoot 3s, hitting from the logo, and draining turnaround jumpers from the top of the key.
“You can’t leave her open!” Mercury play-by-play broadcaster Cindy Brunson exclaimed during the television broadcast. “I don’t care if it’s Year 20 or not!” For the season, the UConn and women’s basketball legend is averaging 17.8 points and 4.
3 assists per game. She’s been remarkably consistent throughout her 20-year-career, never averaging less than 15.2 points per game over a full season.
Her scoring average this year, at age 41, is higher than it was during her rookie season in 2004, when she posted 17.0 points per. Asked how she’s been able to maintain this level of excellence over two decades, Taurasi said there isn’t any special solution.
“It’s really simple. You show up every single day and you work harder than the next person. It.