Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. Here’s what’s going on in the WNBA.
Diana Taurasi went for 8 three-pointers as the Mercury clinched a playoff spot.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gosling/Getty Images.)
The GOAT was at it again.
Diana Taurasi, the all-time leading scorer of THIS league, scored 27 points in a blowout victory over the Indiana Fever. Her new running mate, Skylar Diggins-Smith, led the team with 28 points. They have been a debilitating duo as of late.
Brittney Griner left the Wubble a couple of weeks ago. Bria Hartley is out for the season. But the Mercury have found a resolve and have won five straight games. The Merc are going on a short rotation, too. Sandy Brondello only played 7 women in the game and played 8 the previous two games. But it’s worked out so far and you hope that they don’t tire out by the time the playoffs get there.
Speaking of, they clinched a playoff spot for the 8th consecutive season. Diana has come on late and is making a late push for MVP. In that five-game win streak, Taurasi has averaged 26.0 points per game and made 28 for 61 from three (.459). In that game against the Fever, she tied her career-best with 8 three-pointers, which is one shy for most in a game (9 by the Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell, who went for 16 points on Thursday).
Oh, yeah. Did I mention Skylar Diggin-Smith earlier? Skylar is also having a hell of a season. She had 28-4-8 against Indy and has raised her averages to 17.2 points, 3.2 boards, and 4.4 dimes per game. Those are pretty much on par with her career averages but it feels underappreciated compared to Diana’s intensity and Griner’s presence. And remember that Bria Hartley once led the team in scoring outright.
We have some really talented teams that are ready to make a run for the championship. I can’t say I would pick the Mercury to win it all but with Diana Taurasi on the team, I don’t think they’re really ever out of it.
Bullet Passes
A’ja Wilson scored 24 points while super Sixth Woman Dearica Hamby and Jackie Young each had 20 as the Aces stop the Sun. Young has now scored 20 points in consecutive games and she had not scored 20 in her pro career before that.
It is unbelievable to me but Alyssa Thomas of the torn both labrums kind sat out a game. I always felt that she would play through everything but an injured hand kept her out the game against the Aces. Jasmine Thomas also sat out due to plantar fasciitis. That is not fun.
Meanwhile, we had a low-scoring affair between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty. The Dream won their second straight game. We hadn’t heard much from Elizabeth Williams this season, who was an all-star in 2017, but she powered the defense with 6 swats!
Double U Scoreboard
ATL 62 (5-13) vs NY 56 (2-15)
LV 93 (13-4) vs CON 78 (8-10)
IND 81 (5-13) vs PHX 105 (11-7)
Watch This Play
Diana made a lot of threes but it’s this pass that got me looking.
SPECIAL DELIVERY 📦 @DianaTaurasi
💻 https://t.co/hUv41ZcSZp | #BradentonArea pic.twitter.com/rZWsc06pOq
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 4, 2020
GOAT.
Every occupant in the Wubble, please stay safe!
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.