Diana Taurasi returns from injury in Sunday afternoon game; the Phoenix Mercury played against the Chicago Sky. The Sky won the game 94-86, behind Allie Quigley 24 points and shooting 8 for 16 from the field.
Courtney Vandersloot played an outstanding dishing out 13 assist, nine rebounds, and nine points. The Sky is in the Hunt for the First seed in the WNBA playoffs. Along with Quigley and Vandersloot, Diamond DeShields added 17 points and Cheyenne Parker added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Sky.
Brittney Griner scored a season-high 34 points for the Mercury and DeWanna Bonner added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Grinner 12 for 17 from the field and also made 10 out 12 free throws. Bonner shot 7 for 14 from the field. The Mercury did not get much from any other player on their roster scoring-wise.
The game was in the balance in the final two minutes, when the Sky went on 8-0 run to pull away. The run started with a Stefanie Dolson lay up and ended with a pair of Vandersloot’s free throws.
Diana Taurasi returns and scored 12 points on 2 for 13 shooting. It was her first game back since hurting her hamstring and serving her one-game suspension. Taurasi did hit 8 for 8 at the free-throw line. She struggled shooting from the field, she looked rusty and that is not a surprise because of the time she missed.
It will take a few games before Taurasi to find her legs. She missed a lot of time, so it will take a while for her to find her rhythm. Once Taurasi gets her rhythm down, the Mercury will be a dangerous team come playoff time. Griner, Taurasi, and Bonner make an excellent big three it will be interesting to see what they can do in the playoffs.
