The Phoenix Mercury scored their 10th consecutive win as they beat the Atlanta Dream last Wednesday. The team was able to power through without the help of star players Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.
Shey Peddy led the short-handed Phoenix Mercury to victory as she scored 18 points for the whole game. The team trailed by 16 points in the second half and without Shey Peddy’s incredible skills, the Phoenix Mercury couldn’t have made it. She scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and made three free throws with 3.8 seconds left on the clock.
A few other players had a remarkable performance last Wednesday night as well. Skylar Diggins Smith who added 10 points and Sophie Cunningham who had 10 were both huge parts of the game.
The Atlanta Dream didn’t do too bad either as they scored 75 points with Courtney Williams leading the team as she added 20 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. Following closely behind her were Monique Billings with 13 points and Elizabeth Williams who was able to add 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Phoenix Mercury are doing exceptionally well this season. They are currently fifth in the 2021 Western Conference with 19 wins and 11 losses.
What happened to Brittney Griner?
Brittney Griner missed the Wednesday game for personal reasons. The amazing Phoenix Mercury center is in the running for WNBA MVP. However, she decided to miss out on one game as one of her family members contracted COVID. She played last Saturday in a home game against the Connecticut Suns. Unfortunately, the team’s winning streak was snapped as the Suns proved to be a formidable foe with a 76-67 win.
What’s next for Diana Taurasi?
The legendary Phoenix Mercury Guard wasn’t able to join the team in their last two games as she suffered from a left ankle injury she got in last Monday’s win against Indiana. The team might have had a better chance against the Connecticut Suns if Diana Taurasi was able to join Saturday’s game. The iconic WNBA athlete is known for being the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and is one of the few WNBA players to have her own signature shoe. Last year, Nike commemorated her with a Nike LeBron 18 with her choice of colorway. The shoe was also embellished with a billy goat on the insoles and the tongue to signify Diana Taurasi’s earned GOAT status.
Diana Taurasi was also chosen as one of the few WNBA players to promote Nike’s new collection. She stands alongside Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, Elena Delle Donne, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart promoting Nike’s new line and helping women basketball players find confidence in their gear. In an interview, she said, “You need to have that one piece of apparel that fits you just right. Swoosh Fly is that but in an entire collection. And it’s so authentic that players like Mistie are helping move this gear forward.”
Hopefully, the Phoenix Mercury guard can recover from her ankle and join the team for their next game.
On to the next game…
After last Saturday’s game where the Connecticut Suns broke their winning streak, we’ll see the Phoenix Mercury again. They will face off against the Seattle Storm on September 17, 2021 at the Angel Of The Winds Arena.
