Taurasi forces OT with ridiculous game-tying shot in WNBA playoffs
Aug 28, 2018, 9:41 PM | Updated: Aug 29, 2018, 7:19 am
Subdued Seattle Storm fans look on as Phoenix Mercury's Diana Taurasi nails a 3-point shot with seconds left in the second half to send the game into overtime in a WNBA basketball playoff semifinal, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, in Seattle. The Storm won 91-87 in overtime. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
As ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco said on the call, “the GOAT delivers again.”
The Phoenix Mercury were down 19 at one point in Game 2 of their WNBA playoffs semifinals matchup with the Seattle Storm, but all they needed was Diana Taurasi to get hot, and she did.
Despite what became a remarkable comeback and heroics from Taurasi, the Mercury wound up falling short in OT 91-87. Just to get to overtime required an effort few teams and few players could deliver.
Phoenix was down 16 entering the fourth quarter and still down 15 with under five minutes to go. A quick 8-0 run from Taurasi’s teammates got the score down to 73-66 with 3:05 to go.
Then, it was time for the GOAT to deliver.
In the last two minutes, Taurasi converted on a layup and a three-pointer to make it 77-71 with 1:36 left. After Brittney Griner scored to make it 77-73, the Storm’s Natasha Howard made two free throws to make it a six-point deficit with 31.7 seconds left for the Mercury.
It was no secret as to who was going to get the ball.
The Mercury drew up a play for Taurasi to get open on the inbounds pass, and she had just enough time to bury a 24-footer and make it a one-possession game.
Thought the game was over?
Not according to Diana!!!! pic.twitter.com/mkLI1SD307
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 29, 2018
Seattle’s Sue Bird then missed with 9.8 seconds left and the Mercury didn’t change a thing when they got the ball back.
They ran the same exact play for Taurasi, but she didn’t have as much space this time and was forced to take a dribble to her left.
Somehow, though, Taurasi buried the shot to force overtime and complete the comeback.
"THE GOAT DELIVERS AGAIN!" pic.twitter.com/Y2Hi8uTXZq
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 29, 2018
Twitter was in a tizzy when the shot went down.
DIANA TAURASI doing 🐐 things #WNBAPlayoffs
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 29, 2018
DIANA TAURASI wowww
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 29, 2018
Diana Taurasi is disgustingly good
— Michael Levin (@Michael_Levin) August 29, 2018
TAURANASSAURUSI
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) August 29, 2018
DIANA IS THE TRUTH!!!!!!
— Shawn Deloney (@akaSD) August 29, 2018
Taurasi finished with 28 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
The Mercury will take on the Storm in Phoenix on Friday and must win or they are eliminated from the playoffs.
