The Phoenix Mercury found a way to dominate on a Friday night as they took down the Aces with a score of 102-95. Both offense and defense have improved after an 0-2 start. The Phoenix Big three has finally come together in a significant way! Let’s breakdown Phoenix’s dominance on the offense; big three scores combined 62 points in their first win.
If you guys want to read my article I have written for the Phoenix Mercury on Beyond Women’s Sports, I talk about a practice in the bubble. I also wrote on “Why I Admire Diana Taurasi,” as I talk about the energy she uses in the game of basketball! I’ve been watching Taurasi play for the Mercury for four years now, and she is fantastic on both ends of the court, and her leadership is incredible, too. Please give it a read! Now, I present to you how the Mercury pulled off the victory over the Aces last night.
Phoenix’s Dominance On The Offense; Big Three Scores Combined 62 Points In their first Win
The BIG THREE are workin’ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wkddPT1QYs
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 1, 2020
The Phoenix Mercury has found a way to develop team chemistry on both ends of the court against the Aces. Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith became a dangerous backcourt duo, scoring a combined 44 points, 22 points apiece. Taurasi also had a double-double with 10 assists and scored 20 points for the first time since August 17, 2018, vs. Atlanta. She also tied Lindsay Whalen in the fourth place of all-time list in a double-double in WNBA history.
For the Mercury, Diana Taurasi played with pain-free through the first three games, she is incredible in many ways on and off the court. She makes an impact on leadership and scoring; she dished out crazy assists like the no-look to Brianna Turner in the fourth quarter! Diggins-Smith made four threes, so did DT, and contributed with five assists. Brittney Griner scored 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.
ICYMI: @DianaTaurasi went crazy with this NO 👀 in tonight’s @PhoenixMercury W 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dPcD6HnA2Z
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 1, 2020
Bria Hartley goes off once again, scoring 15 points and 5 rebounds. Sophie Cunningham started for the sixth time in her career. She made an impact on the starting five as she tallied 11 points, including a steal in the third quarter that led to the Mercury’s victory. Brianna Turner stepped up strong with 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. Mercury’s field goal percentage is 56.9 percent in buckets made! Mercury’s free throw percentage has improved only missing four free throws (15-19 FTM-A) and three-point shooting (11-20 3 PM-A).
The Defense is Stellar!
“Get that outta here!!”
— CBS Sports WNBA (@CBSSportsWNBA) August 1, 2020
-Brittney Griner probably pic.twitter.com/9rqBiDurFY
The Mercury’s stellar defense against the Aces impressed the fans from last night’s game. Like Brittney Griner and Brianna Turner becoming a scary frontcourt ‘twin towers’ with 6 blocks altogether, three apiece. In addition, the Mercury won the rebounding battle 31 to 30, 29 of the rebounds were defensive. They also had 9 blocked shots, which increased from the last game.
Also, when the Mercury’s defense addressed to adjust after the first two games, they came out hungry and won the game! In addition, this is the most productive Mercury team I have ever seen in years! Despite losing DeWanna Bonner, who left for Connecticut this offseason, and Leilani Mitchell, the Mercury seem to head in the right direction in both scoring and rebounding.
DT on @SkyDigg4: “Carefree, aggressive, being very decisive.
— Brendon Kleen (@BrendonKleen14) August 1, 2020
“Today was just a little insight of what Skylar brings to the table, and it’s nice to be on the same team.”
Diana Taurasi, after her excellent performance in the Mercury’s win over the Aces, said, “That’s the best I’ve felt. Today personally was a step in the right direction.” As a result, she also “came back to herself from the 2018 season,” as what HC Brondello pointed out in the postgame media presser. I knew Diana would bounce back stronger after one tough game with her unstoppable stats. In addition, Skylar Diggins-Smith also stepped up loud for the Mercury’s offense in this game.
She was described as “Carefree, aggressive, being very decisive” by Mercury teammate Diana Taurasi, who was one of the two players (other was Brittney Griner) to reach out about playing for the team this offseason. I can’t wait to see what this energetic team can do!
The Mercury play the New York Liberty On Sunday
The next game for the Phoenix Mercury, coming off a first victory over the Aces, is on Sunday as they take on the New York Liberty (0-3) without Kia Nurse and Sabrina Ionescu due to ankle sprain injuries. The Liberty is coming off a loss to the Atlanta Dream and losing Sabrina Ionescu, who injured her ankle during the second quarter of action. I hope she is okay! The game would air on ESPN at 10 am PCT/1 pm EST.
Tune into today’s games on league pass, starting with the Lynx vs. Sun on NBA TV/League Pass at 1 pm PCT/ 4 pm EST. The matchup of Mystics vs. Sky would also take place on league pass at 3 pm PCT/6 pm EST. Then, followed by a game on CBS Sports Network with the matchup of Sparks vs. Storm at 5 pm PCT/8 pm EST.
Also, if you guys want more content of the bubble season, follow @wnba_wubble on Instagram. Earlier this week, WNBA games have been expanded by 13 on nationally televised games this season. The WNBA is SO essential with all of this energy, keep cheering out loud for your favorite WNBA teams, and watch more games!
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @ayaabdeen__ for more content. Follow my Diana Taurasi fan page on Instagram @dtaurasi3_fp. And check out more WNBA articles by the Beyond Women’s Sports team.
