Catchings receives rousing send-off in final WNBA game
Tamika Catchings gets a hug from Rick Fuson, President of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, following a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in her final regular-season game. AP
INDIANAPOLIS — Tamika Catchings received a rousing send-off in her final regular-season WNBA game on Sunday (Monday Manila time), finishing off a 15-year career in Indiana with 16 points in a win over Dallas and an emotional goodbye to her adopted hometown fans.
Catchings received a standing ovation when she left the game with 1:33 left in the fourth quarter of the Fever’s 83-60 victory.
The 10-time All-Star and five-time WNBA defensive player of the year ends her career second on the career WNBA scoring list (7,382) and as the career leader in free throws made (2,004), steals (1,074) and rebounds (3,316).
During the first quarter, Catchings also became the first WNBA player to make 2,000 free throws.
Larry Bird, the president of basketball operations for the Pacers, and Olympic gold medalist Paul George sat together to watch Catchings’ final game. Former Pacers star Reggie Miller and WNBA career scoring leader Tina Thompson were also on hand to show their support.
“I think of all the tears I’ve shed after losses, I think of all the tears I’ve shed after wins, I think of all the tears that I’ve shed during the hard work and when you give that much, my tears have already been shed,” Catchings said in a ceremony after the game.
Indiana will host Phoenix for a single-elimination game in the first round of the playoffs.
Elsewhere in the league, Breanna Stewart scored 18 points as the Seattle Storm clinched the seventh seed in the playoffs with an 88-75 victory over Chicago.
Seattle will play at Atlanta in the opening round. Chicago has a first-round bye.
Diana Taurasi had all of her 18 points in the first half as Phoenix beat San Antonio 81-65, while Connecticut wrapped up its season with an 87-78 win over Washington.
