In their first game of a month-long stretch without all-time great guard Diana Taurasi, the Mercury hung tough with one of the league’s best teams but ultimately fell 85-79 to the Las Vegas Aces Wednesday at Phoenix Suns Arena.
Mercury Coach Sandy Brondello said allowing 24 points off 13 turnovers was their biggest weakness Wednesday.
“Overall, I thought we competed well,” Brondello said. “I mean turnovers was obviously a big issue all game. And then, you know obviously disappointing end to the game. I thought we had good control of it, and then they made plays we didn’t.”
The Mercury (2-3) trailed by one entering the final minute but two controversial calls against the Mercury pretty much put the win in the Aces’ hands.
First, Mercury center Brittney Griner was called for an offensive foul on an illegal screen, turning the ball over to Vegas (3-2). Then point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith was called for a foul on a three-point attempt by Aces guard Riquna Williams. Williams hit all three to put Vegas up four with 37 seconds remaining.
Diggins-Smith made contact with Williams’ left hand while it was on the ball, which, by rule, should not have been called a foul.
“The hand is considered ‘part of the ball’ when it is in contact with the ball,” the WNBA rulebook reads. “Therefore, contact on that hand by a defender while it is in contact with the ball is not illegal.”
A Phoenix miss on the following possession meant they had to foul, which put them down six. With little time left, Diggins-Smith chucked up a three pointer and missed. With the shot clock off and just under 24 seconds, the Mercury chose not to foul and accepted the six-point loss.
With Taurasi out, the team’s two other stars, Griner and Diggins-Smith, stepped up big Wednesday. Griner scored a season-high 27, making 12 of 16 shots. It was a stark improvement over a 3 for 11, six-point performance against Connecticut in the team’s last game. The 6-foot-9 Griner was eager all game to post up the 6-foot-8 Liz Cambage, the only other star in the league who comes close to Griner in height. BG also handled the occasional double team well, passing out of it or splitting the two defenders. Griner also had 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Brondello said they hadn’t gotten Griner enough touches early in the season, and, if anything, she could have used more touches Wednesday night.
“We know Diana’s out for a while. We have to continue to grow how we can score, and we probably need some more scoring options out there,” Brondello said.
Diggins-Smith played the facilitator Wednesday, dishing out 11 assists, eight of which came in the first half. She was one assist shy of her career high. Diggins-Smith scored 16 points on 5 of 14 from the field including 2 of 4 from deep. The Mercury made all 10 of its free throws Wednesday, and Diggins-Smith led with four.
Vegas’ guard Jackie Young matched Griner’s 27 points, scoring 11 in the third quarter. Star forward A’ja Wilson added 16, guard Chelsea Gray had 15 and Cambage was limited to 10 on 4 of 11 shooting. The Aces have had at least four players in double digits for all five games this year. Williams nearly made it five Wednesday with nine points.
With a team as talented as Vegas, it can be kind of pick-your-poison. Brondello said she’d live with 16 points from Wilson, last season’s MVP, but Young hurt them most. Diggins-Smith agreed.
“I thought we did a good job on the bigs, but we can’t have Jackie go off like that,” Diggins-Smith said.
FILLING IN FOR TAURASI
Taurasi fractured her sternum in last Friday’s home loss to Connecticut and will miss at least four weeks. She played the full game, but the fracture was discovered during a scan this week.
Diggins-Smith said it will take a team effort to make up the difference in Taurasi’s absence.
“Of course, Diana Taurasi is Diana Taurasi, and nobody is going to bring to the table what she brings to the table, and I think we all need to do what we do just a little bit better. I think we got enough pieces,” Diggins-Smith said.
Even without Taurasi, the Mercury played Vegas, the top regular-season team last year, far tougher than they played in their home opener blowout loss to the Sun last week. The game was close throughout. Vegas’ largest lead was eight in the second quarter, but Phoenix quickly closed the gap.
With one player out, the Mercury gained another. Forward Kia Vaughn appeared in her first game of the season and playing in her first game in Phoenix after joining the team during the 2020 bubble season.
Forward Megan Walker started in Taurasi’s place but it was a four-woman committee to replace Taurasi’s minutes between Walker, Vaughn and guards Shey Peddy and Sophie Cunningham. Peddy was the third Mercury player in double digits with 12 points, 10 of which came in the third quarter. Vaughn’s jumper was on, hitting several mid-range shots. She made 4 of 9 shots in total.
Diggins-Smith said Vaughn’s shooting helped space the floor and made it easier for her to get assists.
ANOTHER STAR SCARE
In the second quarter, Griner got an elbow to the chest from Cambage. A game after one star got a chest injury, another Phoenix star fell to the floor clutching her chest. The Mercury called a timeout to take her out of the game, but she was back in three possessions later and played the rest of the game. Brondello said Griner might be sore tomorrow but should be all right.
BETTER ON THE BOARDS
The Mercury were outrebounded 36-33 Wednesday, but it was a dramatic improvement over the 48-24 rebounding margin they had last time out against Connecticut. The Mercury have outrebounded their opponents in their two wins this year and been outrebounded in their three losses.
Mark Carlisle Associate Editor | Phoenix @mwcarlisle
Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.
Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.
Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.
Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.
Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.
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