PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury clinched a playoff spot on Sept. 3 in a win over the Atlanta Dream, but that one saving grace has overshadowed the downward spiral the team has been in and can’t get out of it.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Mercury’s (17-20) losing streak extended to three consecutive games after they fell 88-69 to the Connecticut Sun on Thursday, raising concerns heading into the postseason with them in a rut. Brittney Griner scored 26 points while Natasha Cloud had 17 points and seven assists in the fourth and final game against the Sun in the regular season series, being swept 4-0.
Brionna Jones posted 20 points, Marina Mabrey pitched in with 19 and DeWanna Bonner finished with 14 for Connecticut (27-10). In a race for the No. 2 seed in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx (28-9), the Sun are getting hot at the right time as they are on a three-game winning streak.
Sun storm past Mercury, sweep regular-season series
The Mercury had the odds stacked against them on paper as they were without star Kahleah Copper. Listed as questionable on Thursday night’s injury report with a back injury, Copper was ruled inactive a few hours before tip-off. The Pennsylvania native was third in the WNBA in scoring with 21.6 points per game this year, trailing just Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson (27.3) and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (22.3).
Without one of their most dangerous threats offensively, Tibbetts elected to start rookie Celeste Taylor at forward in Copper’s absence.
The idea of having four guards Taylor, Taurasi, Cloud and Sophie Cunningham in the starting lineup had its moments in the early stages of the game before the Sun got going. Harris notched eight points and went 2-for-3 from three in the first quarter and scored 12 total points.
“It’s no surprise when you are healthy, you have a fair chance. Obviously our core group hasn’t played many games together. I don’t think we are doing enough things to affect the game in winning ways.” Mercury guard Diani Taurasi said.
Going off on the referees, Tibbetts would receive his third technical foul of the season after Monique Billings drew contact when attacking the basket and the officials didn’t blow the whistle for a foul. Tibbetts furiously stepped on the court to argue his case but he was the only person punished for his actions.
Sparking some fire into his team, the Mercury responded by igniting an 11-4 run and getting within four of Connecticut in the second quarter. The Sun was able to regain a wider margin, however, entering halftime with a 46-38 lead.
“We’ve had more than enough technical fouls this year but I thought we were getting to the basket and not getting rewarded,” Tibbetts said. “I wanted to make a stand for our team.”
“I wanted to make a stand for our team.”
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts told our @AlecCipollini his thoughts on his third technical foul of the season.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/hmrPusyE02
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) September 14, 2024
Returning to Phoenix with a roar of cheers from the Mercury fans, Bonner collected four rebounds and was a tough defensive presence for the Mercury to get around with her 6-foot-4 stature. During her time in the Valley, Phoenix’s fifth overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft played 10 seasons (2009-19), was a two-time (2009, 2014) WNBA champion and a three-time (2009-11) WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year.
With the momentum on its side, Connecticut blew out Phoenix 24-6 in the third quarter courtesy of Jones and Bonner combining for 15 points.
Up by as much as 28 points at one stage, the Sun demonstrated why they are one of the best teams in the league and why they will be a force in the playoffs when that time comes. Connecticut shot 33-for-75 (44%) from the field, outrebounded the Mercury 38-33 and outscored Phoenix 40-34 in the paint.
“We did a good job of defensive rebounding and limited our turnovers after the first quarter. We just ran into a tough shooting third quarter, ” Tibbetts said. “Thought we had some good looks but give their defense credit, they are a good defensive team.”
“They are a good defensive team.”@HaydenCilley asked Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts about the third quarter struggles against the Connecticut Sun, heavily outscored 24-6 in that frame.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/AqDEFin1kT
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) September 14, 2024
Jones was a force in the paint even with the difficult task of going up against a superstar like Griner, collecting 20 points, nine rebounds, a steal and a block. Not afraid to shoot, Mabrey showed flashes of her sharpshooting talent and was the center of attention when she was on the floor.
The Mercury are 1-6 in their last seven games and 2-7 in their last nine. Though they locked up the No. 7 seed and await whoever finishes second place in the league, Phoenix still has three games left in the regular season and will look to end it on a high note.
“I think today for the most part we played better, that’s [Connecticut’s] a really good team,” Taurasi said. “We’re just gonna have to find a way to get healthy in these next two weeks and really go into the playoffs – no matter who we play – and give ourselves a chance. I think we need to tap into some of those things that we do when we are playing well, which wasn’t long ago.”
Next Games
Mercury: Away at Chicago Sky (13-23) | Sept. 15 | 3 p.m. PT
Sun: Away at Las Vegas Aces (28-9) | Sept. 15 | 3 p.m. PT
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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
