The ceremony followed an 88-85 loss to Portland and lasted over 30 minutes as Taurasi reflected on her career.

The Mercury retired Taurasi's jersey number 3 to honor her two decades with the franchise from 2004 to 2024 and her status as one of the WNBA's greatest players.

The ceremony celebrated Taurasi’s impact beyond stats, highlighting her fierce leadership and deep connections with the Mercury’s fan base and the Arizona community, with her wife Penny Taylor and their children in attendance.

The event drew thousands in Phoenix, with attendance around 16,513, and featured tributes from notable figures such as Devin Booker, Brittney Griner, Larry Fitzgerald, Sheryl Swoopes, and Michael Phelps.

Taurasi was recognized as the WNBA’s career scoring leader, an 11-time All-Star, six-time Olympic gold medalist, and a multi-time champion and MVP, underscoring her historic impact.

Taurasi thanked coaches, teammates, staff, and her family, sharing her parents’ immigrant journey and her father’s 50-year factory career.

Taurasi described endings and new beginnings, calling the event both a celebration and a potential new chapter, and spoke of the emotional impact on herself and the Mercury community.

Recorded tributes from a wide array of basketball legends and peers, including LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Sue Bird, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Paige Bueckers.

In her remarks, Taurasi noted retirement has altered her competitive drive, emphasizing that winning isn’t her sole motivation and expressing gratitude for the support and sense of belonging she found in Phoenix.

She stressed loyalty and continuity with the line: one city, one team, one jersey, noting that her No. 3 now belongs to the franchise in her honor.

Team owner Mat Ishbia opened the halftime ceremony, followed by Pettis’s induction remarks and Taurasi’s speech that framed the moment as a recognition of her career and her bond with Phoenix.

Phoenix organized a tribute weekend, including renaming Taurasi Way outside the arena, refurbishing outdoor courts, and painting a mural in her honor.