The Phoenix Mercury are set for a Western Conference clash against the Minnesota Lynx and with guard Sug Sutton who is out with a hamstring injury, the team will look to Kiki Herbert Harrigan and rookie Charisma Osborne to help fill the void.
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While there is no concrete timetable of how long Sutton will be out, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and the team took the precautious approach of sitting her out to be on the safe side.
“I don’t think it is anything serious,” Tibbetts said. “We got a little bit of time off here after this game. It was a situation that happened kinda early in practice the other day, so I don’t think this is anything that is going to linger. It was more of us not wanting to risk it here tonight when we got time coming up.”
"I don't think it is anything serious."
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts' update on Sug Sutton who will miss tonight's game vs. the Minnesota Lynx with a hamstring injury.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #LynxRecognize pic.twitter.com/BKFVZaTMbC
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 22, 2024
After tonight, Phoenix does not play again until Thursday night against the Los Angeles Sparks, giving Sutton plenty of time to recuperate. Coming off the bench this season, Sutton is averaging 3.7 points, 2.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game as well as establishing a strong, defensive presence whenever she is called upon.
When talking about how Osborne and Herbert Harrigan will be able to play the Lynx, Tibbetts believes both will receive more minutes because of the hard work that they have put in during practice.
“I would assume Charisma will get into a little bit of a run tonight with Sug out, and I also anticipate Kiki will get a little time,” Tibbetts said. “It’ll be good to see both of them out there. Obviously Charisma hasn’t had an opportunity yet, tonight will be a chance for her and also Kiki because she has done a really good job of continuing to work and improve. Those two will get a chance.”
"Those two will get a chance."
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts talked to our @AlecCipollini about Charisma Osborne being set to make her #WNBA debut and Kiki Herbert Harrigan getting more minutes vs. the Minnesota Lynx. #ValleyTogether #LynxRecognize pic.twitter.com/8LWpYQIQjf
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 22, 2024
Osborne hasn’t been able to make her WNBA debut since she re-signed with the Mercury on June 13. She was a third-round pick drafted by Phoenix back in April before she was waived almost a month later.
Seeing her battle to get to this stage of her career, Tibbetts is excited that Osborne is back and pushing herself to improve even further.
“It’s one of those things when you are doing individual workouts on your own, it’s not the same,” Tibbetts said. “I am glad for Charisma that she has been here for just over a week, she has done a good job. I think everyone is excited, coaches were excited and players were excited to get her back. She’s had good practices with our practice players and she’s getting more comfortable.”
In Minneapolis, the game between the Mercury and Lynx begins at 5 p.m. PT inside Target Center.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
