Connect with us
Burn+

Phoenix Mercury

Mercury surge past Sky on Sunday, Monique Billings shines in Phoenix debut

© Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
© Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Before the Olympic break, Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts claimed that the team’s best basketball was ahead.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Their loss in Indiana against the Fever on Friday didn’t necessarily put that on display, but with the season quickly reaching its latter half, it seems as if Tibbetts’ vision is slowly but surely coming to life.

“This is [my] first time coming out of an Olympic break. 15 games to finish … There’s no messing around,” said Tibbetts following the Mercury’s win over the Sky on Sunday. “I’ve liked our focus for the most part, almost every quarter except the first two in Indiana. Back-to-backs are hard, especially after the break we’ve had … I don’t know what seed we’re going to get, our goal is just to continue to keep playing better and better basketball.”

Three days after beating the Sky on in the Windy City, Phoenix hosted Chicago on Sunday in a contest that was largely the same. 

The Mercury won this contest by 18 points, and beat the Sky in the first quarter 32-19 – congesting the inside on defense and pushing the pace in transition. Chicago is a team that likes to make its money on the inside, but Tibbetts gave it some relatively methodical looks so Phoenix can get out to a hot start. 

Some crash the glass, others run. The Mercury were able to speed up the Sky – and just like during Thursday’s contest – were able to score 30-plus points in the first quarter.

Slow starts seemed rather characteristic for the Mercury before the Olympic break, and the Mercury have given that trend more emphasis. But what’s just as important as getting off to a good start? 

Making sure the other team doesn’t match that same momentum.

“One of our goals is to hold teams under 20 points in a quarter,” Tibbetts mentioned.

And even further, making sure the opposition doesn’t gain that momentum.

“We did that all four quarters,” Tibbetts added. “I thought we were engaged, we didn’t have many empty possessions on the [defensive] end.”

The Sky had moments where they chipped away at the lead, and seemingly came out of halftime with some needed juice. They opened up the second half with a 14-4 run, cutting the lead to single digits.

“Coach Weatherspoon does a great job. They’re competitive, they play hard, they’re trying to build something special.,” Tibbetts said. “They do it with their effort and toughness, and that’s what they came out and did in that third quarter … That’s what good teams do.”

Despite the resilience, it’s a 40 minute game. The Mercury kept their foot on the gas and came out victorious. That’s what separates the good from the great – an echelon that the Mercury are looking to reach.

Tibbetts has discussed how the Mercury’s collection of savvy veterans have allowed them to pick up right where they left off following the Paris Olympics. And they’ve only added to that stockpile with the addition of forward Monique Billings.

Billings, a seven-year vet, was released from her hardship contract last Wednesday by the Dallas Wings. She’s averaged a career-high 8.8 points – while collecting 6.6 rebounds a contest. 

For a Phoenix team that has craved extra depth at the forward position and has been starving for another rebounding presence, Billings fell right into the team’s lap on a seven-day contract on Sunday morning.

The 6-foot-4 forward touched down in Phoenix that very day – formally meeting some of her new Mercury teammates for the first time. Hours later, she suited up in the purple and orange for the first time.

It’s safe to say her presence was needed.

“We’ve been trying to play our three’s as four’s … [Billings’] is a four,” said Tibbetts. “Give her a ton of credit. Today was the first day that she met some of her teammates … That’s why you try to go and get veterans that have been in this league. She knows who she is. She competes, rebound, run and defend. She did that tonight, and we’re going to need that from her moving forward.”

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Billings said, describing her emotions through this experience. “I have not even practiced with this team, but I’m just so grateful to be on a team … I’m really excited to get to work, and I’m expecting good things.”

Billings tallied 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals in her Mercury debut. She filled a needed tertiary role as a rebounder, cutter, and roller – and could be the hidden gem that allows Phoenix to reach its best brand of basketball of the season – just as Tibbetts has expected.

Diana Taurasi led all scorers with 23 points, and Brittney Griner chipped in with 18. But Billings wasn’t alone starring in her role.

Sophie Cunningham, a six-year veteran herself, has been a Mercury-lifer throughout her career. She’s spent all six years in The Valley, and recorded her first career double-double on Sunday, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

“When you have three gold medalists on your team, you have Natasha Cloud who’s a complete beast yourself, now you have Billings coming in as well. I’m just trying to get out of everyone’s way and be the dog of the team,” Cunningham said. “I’m just trying to be a gritty player … Doing the dirty work of what the team needs. Tonight, yeah I got 10 boards, but if you look at our box score, that’s pretty impressive. We’re going to win a lot of ball games if we have that.”

The Mercury win their second game against the Sky, clinching the season series victory. The two teams will match up for the third and final time of the regular season on Sep. 15.

Phoenix Mercury to celebrate 10th anniversary of 2014 championship team

*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*

Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports

Related Topics

Burn City Radio

More in Phoenix Mercury