Sue Bird vs. Diana Taurasi: WNBA legends meet for final time in regular-season matchup
- Bird and Taurasi won a total of four national titles at UConn in the early 2000s.
- The duo played together on five Oympic gold medal squads.
- The he two stars will appear on the cover of the NBA 2k23 WNBA edition.
When the three-time champion Phoenix Mercury host the four-time champion Seattle Storm Friday, it will be in the final regular-season meeting between league legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi.
Dominating the WNBA for more than a decade, Bird and Taurasi's time on the court together dates back to their seasons at UConn in the early 2000s. Combined, four NCAA championship trophies were won between them and they also helped Team USA women's basketball team win five gold medals.
It was announced earlier this month that the two stars will appear on the cover of the NBA 2k23 WNBA edition, which will be released Sept. 9.
Friday's game falls on the Mercury's annual Native American Night, which will be broadcast in Navajo for the first time in team history.
Here's everything you need to know for the game:
Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury
Time: 7 p.m. PT/ 10 p.m. ET
TV channel: NBA TV
Live stream: Bally Sports AZ and Amazon Prime, WNBA League Pass
Why is this their final regular-season game together?
In June, Storm guard Sue Bird announced the 2022 season would be her last.
"I've decided this will be my final year," Bird posted on social media. "I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first."
Bird was drafted first overall by the Storm in 2002 and spent her entire 21-year long career there, playing in all but two seasons
Taurasi was the No.1 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft by Phoenix and has not announced plans to retire.
Sue Bird career stats
- Four-time WNBA Champion (2044, 2010, 2018, 2020)
- All-time WNBA assists leader
- All-time WNBA leader in career starts
- Thirteen-time WNBA All-Star
- Five-time All-WNBA First team
- Three-time All-WNBA Second Team
- Five-time Olympic gold medalist with USAB
- Four-time FIBA World Championship gold medalist with USAB
Diana Taurasi career stats
- WNBA all-time leading scorer
- First player to reach 8,000 career points
- Three-time WNBA Champions
- Five-time Olympic gold medalist
- Six-time Euroleague Champion
- Ten-time WNBA All-Star
- Ten-time All-WNBA First Team
- Four-time All-WNBA Second Team
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.