By: Zerlina Tang

Diana Taurasi made history when she became the first WNBA participant to score 10,000 points in her entire career on Thursday night.

On the night of the Atlanta versus Phoenix game, Taurasi was 18 points short of the 10,000 point record. Taurasi finished with 42 points, her most in a game since 2010 and the most she has scored in regulation in her career. Not only she scored 10,000 points in her total career now, she has also became the oldest WNBA player to score above 40-points. The only other NBA player to record a 40-point game above the age of 40 is Michael Jordan. Taurasi now shares a stat with one of the greatest to ever play. Everyone was congratulating her, and audience was extremely excited.

Taurasi has been the Phoenix franchise’s cornerstone since she was chosen out of UConn in 2004. She has three WNBA titles as a regular scoring unit for her team and has twice been named Finals MVP. Kobe Bryant coined the term “White Mamba” for her. Throughout her career, Taurasi has averaged more than 19 points per game, including a career-high 25.3 in 2006.

“When she’s playing, she has a sparkle in her eye. She’s totally in the moment. Whenever you see someone who loves what they do, it’s inspiring,” Steve Nash, a newly retired, Hall of Fame-bound point guard described her to the AZ magazine. Tina Thompson, who is second on the scoring chart with 7,488 points, is more than 2,500 points behind her.