The Phoenix Mercury were left disappointed after setting a season-high 22 turnovers and an array of foul calls not going their way in an 84-70 loss to the New York Liberty, but don’t let that distract the fact that a trio of Mercury players were on the brink of making history Monday and they all did.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Passing the ball over to Brittney Griner before she scored a mid-ranger shot, Diana Taurasi overtook Lindsay Whalen for fourth all-time in assists as she got career No. 2,349 just 14 seconds into the second quarter. Taurasi is now behind WNBA legend Sue Bird (3,234), Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot (2,805) and Ticha Penicheiro (2,600).
Continuing to make history in her 20th campaign, Taurasi also surpassed Michael Jordan for most 20-plus point games in WNBA and NBA history over the age of 40 (21 games), became the oldest player to score 30-plus points in a game, eclipsed 500 steals in her career and is the third player to win 300 WNBA games.
Griner needed just one block to become the third WNBA player ever to record 800 blocks and she not only got one, but two. On a drive to the basket by Breanna Stewart before halftime, Griner swatted the ball away for the record. She sits behind Margo Dydek (877) and Lisa Leslie (822) for most in league history.
As for Natasha Cloud, she notched seven assists to get to 204 in her first season as a Mercury. In doing so, she passed Taurasi for most in a single season in franchise history. Tied with Taurasi’s previous high of 197 in 2013, Cloud was one away from dethroning her iconic teammate in that category heading into the matchup with New York.
When speaking about what the accomplishment meant to her, Cloud was grateful to do it but team success trumps any personal accolade of hers.
“For me as a mid-major kid, I will always be really proud of my growth in this league,” Cloud said postgame. “Being an underdog my entire career and still not necessarily getting the respect I deserve as a point guard in this league. But that s*** don’t mean anything when we’re not winning.
“I am appreciative of it, I am so thankful for it. I am beyond blessed that my name is etched into the books here in Phoenix because I want to have impact in my career. When we don’t come out with a win, it’s hard to celebrate those things, but as athletes, sometimes we don’t necessarily give ourselves our flowers.”
“That s*** don’t mean nothing when we are not winning.”
Surpassing Diana Taurasi for most assists by a Phoenix Mercury in a single season (198), Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) is grateful to achieve such accomplishment, but a win means more.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #LightItUpNYL https://t.co/pxYROTlaFp pic.twitter.com/YQVNRDavm6
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) August 27, 2024
The Mercury are 16-15 and have been steadily in the sixth seed of the league, but there is still plenty of work to be done before the end of the regular season. From sitting near the bottom of the standings and rolling as of late, rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are inching closer and closer to Phoenix as they own a 14-16 record.
Putting the team ahead of anything individual will be important for the Mercury with the postseason looming. Any win is crucial from here on out as Phoenix tries to get a more favorable matchup once the playoffs arrive.
No matter what happens, there are going to be more records up for grabs and the players will have the opportunity to leave their mark that will last forever.
WATCH: Natasha Cloud blasts questionable officiating in Mercury’s loss to Liberty, demanding change
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
