In a Thursday night showdown, the Phoenix Mercury clinched their first victory of the WNBA season, defeating the Minnesota Lynx with a final score of 90-81.
Diana Taurasi showcased her skills with an impressive performance, contributing 23 points and 10 assists. Brittney Griner was a force on the court as well, adding 19 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks to the team’s success.
Phoenix demonstrated their prowess from beyond the arc, sinking a total of 13 three-pointers throughout the game. Their sharp shooting was particularly potent in the first half, where they connected on 11 of 17 attempts, propelling them to a commanding 57-40 lead. Taurasi led the charge with three triples and 15 points before halftime.
With her four successful shots from beyond the arc, Taurasi not only aided in securing the victory but also extended her own WNBA record for career three-pointers to 1,300. The closest contender is Sue Bird, who currently stands at 1,001.
Aerial Powers provided a notable performance for the Lynx off the bench, scoring 20 points. Jessica Shepherd and Diamond Miller both contributed 13 points, while Tiffany Mitchell added 12 points to their team’s efforts.
The Mercury received valuable contributions from their bench as well, with Sug Sutton providing 14 points, and Moriah Jefferson and Sophie Cunningham each scoring 13 points, including three successful three-pointers.
From downtown, Phoenix had a 46% success rate, finishing 13 of 28 behind the arc. In contrast, the Lynx struggled to find their rhythm, managing to convert only 3 of their 18 attempts. The Mercury set the tone early in the game, opening with a 27-18 lead after the first quarter, thanks to their proficient shooting, with five different players hitting three-pointers.
The Minnesota Lynx made a late push in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to seven points on two occasions. However, the Phoenix Mercury held their ground and sealed the victory. Notably, the Mercury showcased their efficiency from the free-throw line, finishing the game with an impressive 21-of-23 record.
In another WNBA matchup, the Las Vegas Aces secured a 94-85 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night. Jackie Young led the charge for the defending champions, delivering an outstanding performance with 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting.
Trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Aces staged a remarkable comeback in the third quarter, connecting on 12 of their 16 shots. This surge allowed them to outscore the Sparks 31-17 and claim a 67-63 lead going into the final quarter. Aja Wilson contributed significantly, scoring six consecutive points, followed by consecutive layups from Young, propelling the Aces to a 61-59 advantage.
Wilson had a strong overall performance, finishing the game with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Chelsea Gray provided valuable contributions with 16 points and eight assists, while Candace Parker, playing against her former team after spending 13 seasons with the Sparks, contributed 10 points.
Gray’s pullup jumper with 1:30 remaining in the game secured an 89-79 lead for the Aces, cementing their path to victory.
Chiney Ogwumike had an impressive performance, leading the Los Angeles Sparks with 19 points, while Lexie Brown contributed 15 points. Brown showcased her accuracy by making all four of her shots, including two successful three-pointers, helping the Sparks establish a 25-15 lead after the first quarter.
Unfortunately, the Sparks were missing their leader, Nneka Ogwumike, who was absent due to a non-COVID related illness. In her place, Dearica Hamby, who had given birth just two months prior, started for the team and scored 11 points.
Hamby joined the Los Angeles Sparks through an offseason trade with the Las Vegas Aces. She revealed that she had faced mistreatment and manipulation due to her pregnancy, leading to a subsequent investigation by the WNBA. As a result, Aces coach Becky Hammon received a two-game suspension, although she denied the accusations.
Becky Hammon will return to the Aces’ bench when the two teams face off again on Saturday in Las Vegas. Additionally, the Aces will have the opportunity to celebrate their championship victory by receiving their championship rings during the game.