Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
The Phoenix Mercury took over overtime to defeat the Las Vegas Aces.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal.)
There was no Diana Taurasi for the Phoenix Mercury. No problem. Phoenix professional basketball is doing quite well as the Mercury upended the strong Las Vegas Aces in overtime.
Sometimes, I do wonder about Brittney Griner. I feel she can be as dominant as she wants to be as she showed against the Aces. Griner made the first 6 points in overtime and the Aces never had a comeback after that happened. Griner would end with 33-10-5 in what seemed to be her best all-around game this season.
Skylar Diggins-Smith did more than back Griner up as she finished with 27 points and 8 assists. Sophie Cunningham started in place of Taurasi and she scored 13 points.
The Aces lost only their second game at home. A’ja Wilson did her thing; the MVP had a 25-12-6 line. Chelsea Gray was the only player to score in overtime as she went for 19-5-6. But those weren’t enough to finish off the Mercury in regulation and overtime.
The Phoenix Mercury did make the playoffs last season and they succumbed to the Minnesota Lynx in the second round by a single point. However, they didn’t have Griner for the postseason. With a dominant Griner, a more acclimated Skylar, and the wizardry of Taurasi, I feel like they can do more damage should they make the postseason this year. It’s a matter of staying healthy, of course. Hopefully, Diana is okay to start this weekend as they have a home-and-home with the powerful Seattle Storm.
As of now, the Mercury are 8-9 while the Aces fall to 14-5.
Bullet Passes
The Seattle Storm took advantage as they defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in a defensive struggle. Breanna Stewart didn’t seem to struggle much, though, as she scored 27 points and grabbed 11 boards.
Erica Wheeler scored 22 for the Sparks and was the only player in double figures for L.A.
Kayla McBride has found her groove as she scored 25 points in Minnesota’s win over the Dallas Wings. McBride has averaged 25 points over the last three games and has shot .692 from the field in that span.
The Lynx are the hottest team in the W with five straight wins. They have pulled to within a game and a half of the third spot, which is held by the Connecticut Sun.
WNBA Scoreboard
July 7, 2021
Watch This Play
Gotta love this post move by the MVP.
Got ‘em with the fake.@_ajawilson22 // #ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/dBkOCdPuwN
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 8, 2021
What a fake. What a move. A’ja Wilson’s bag is endless.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the WNBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.