As the Las Vegas Aces are heading down south to face one of their West Coast rivals in the Phoenix Mercury, the game on Thursday will be intriguing for the masses – not just because they are 1-1 this season against each other, but since it is going to be a gauntlet in the paint with two top centers in the WNBA: Brittney Griner and A’ja Wilson.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Because of this being a crucial decider of who advances in the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, neither team will let the other have an easy time establishing their dominance. The Aces won 89-80 on May 10 before the Mercury returned the favor, upsetting the back-to-back champions in Nevada in a 98-88 victory on May 21.
Now that Griner is two games in after returning from a toe fracture on her left foot, she is back in the groove of things as she is adjusting to the speed of the game and getting into game shape. She is averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in her couple of games this season thus far.
Coming back into the squad for Phoenix, the nine-time WNBA All-Star has been a revelation in changing the spacing and presenting a strong presence within the paint. Griner is collecting 1.5 blocks and the opposing teams are struggling to gain offensive or defensive boards.
But to disrupt the momentum the Mercury is riding on, their three-game winning streak will be on the line vs. Wilson and the Aces.
Wilson is the leading scorer in the WNBA with 28.3 points, tied with Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby for No. 1 in rebounds (11.4) and third in blocks (2.7) per game.
With all of the recent success that Wilson and Las Vegas have earned, this matchup of arguably the two best centers in the league will be a special clash to watch.
When talking about the magnitude of this battle, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts understands how these two greats will go at each other no matter what.
“Great players in this league like to go head-to-head with other great players,” Tibbetts said. “I know BG is excited, I’m sure A’ja is excited.”
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts spoke on the upcoming matchup of Brittney Griner versus A'ja Wilson:
"Great players in this league like to go head-to-head with other great players. I know BG is excited, I'm sure A'ja [Wilson] is excited."#ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/yM6XRH82ZM
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 12, 2024
Getting a key piece like Griner back on the floor, she can add new dimensions to how the Mercury operates.
“I think she can add a lot defensively, being at the rim offensively and the opportunity to play in the post,” Tibbetts said. “BG is in her 10th or 11th year. She’s seen everything. She doesn’t ever get sped up, we can play through her when we need to and she’s a great passer.”
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts spoke on what Brittney Griner brings to the table versus the Las Vegas Aces:
"She's seen everything. She doesn't ever get sped up, we can play through her when we need to, and she's a great passer."#ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/3tckJ8AvHw
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 12, 2024
The first tip between the Mercury and Aces begins Thursday at 7 p.m. PT inside Footprint Center. To advance in the Commissioner’s Cup, Phoenix has to win and needs the Dallas Wings to beat the Seattle Storm tomorrow at 4 p.m. PT. If not, Minnesota secures its spot out of the Western Conference.
Phoenix Mercury’s Bec Allen speaks on Australian national team, competing against Mercury teammates
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
