Seattle Storm at Phoenix Mercury
Sep 20, 2024, 2:00 AM · Women's National Basketball AssociationNneka Ogwumike scores 17, Storm spoil Diana Taurasi's night with 89-70 win over Mercury
Taurasi had nine points on 3-of-9 shooting in 18 minutes, returning after the crowd started a chant of “We want DT!” in the closing minutes. She returned less than a minute later to another chant — “One more year!” — and addressed the crowd following a tribute video.
Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 11 points.
The Storm (25-15) were already locked in the WNBA's No. 5 playoff seed and will open the first round Sunday at the Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-three series.
Phoenix (19-21) has locked up the No. 7 seed and will play No. 2 Minnesota in a best-of-three first round series starting Sunday, but there’s no certainty Taurasi will be back for another game in the desert. The Lynx could end Taurasi’s career — if this indeed is it — by sweeping the first two games.
Mercury players honored Taurasi before the game, wearing her jersey with a goat — Greatest Of All Time — in the No. 3 during player introductions. The 42-year-old Taurasi has not said whether she will retire after this season, but has hinted this might be it.
Taurasi's place as one of the greatest women's basketball players of all-time is unquestioned, a resume that includes multiple championships and records.
The Storm were intent on spoiling Taurasi's night, scoring the game's first 10 points. Taurasi — of course — ended the run with a 3-pointer, but it didn't stop the Storm's push.
Seattle shot 15 of 22 in the first quarter to lead 35-14 while the Mercury struggled to get into an offensive flow. Phoenix had nearly as many turnovers (five) as field goals (six) and looked disjointed through most of the quarter.
The Mercury were better in the second quarter, opening the second quarter with a 7-0 run while cutting the lead to 43-31 by halftime. Ogwumike had 14 points.
The Storm surged again in the third quarter while the Mercury foundered again, stretching the lead to 68-49. Phoenix tried to mount a rally in the fourth quarter, but Seattle pushed back every time, running away with a road victory in possibly the final home game of Taurasi's career.
Regular Season Series
SEA wins series 3-1
Recent Plays
4th 0.0 | End of Game | 89 - 70 | |
4th 0.0 | End of the 4th Quarter | 89 - 70 | |
4th 4.1 | Nika Muhl defensive rebound | 89 - 70 | |
4th 6.1 | Natasha Mack misses free throw 2 of 2 | 89 - 70 | |
4th 6.1 | Mercury offensive team rebound | 89 - 70 |
Statistics
SEA | PHX | |
---|---|---|
35-78 | FG | 24-63 |
44.9 | Field Goal % | 38.1 |
13-36 | 3PT | 6-26 |
36.1 | Three Point % | 23.1 |
6-8 | FT | 16-23 |
75.0 | Free Throw % | 69.6 |
41 | Rebounds | 33 |
11 | Offensive Rebounds | 6 |
30 | Defensive Rebounds | 27 |
27 | Assists | 19 |
5 | Steals | 8 |
2 | Blocks | 1 |
10 | Turnovers | 11 |
1 | Team Turnovers | 2 |
11 | Total Turnovers | 13 |
0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
11 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 19 |
10 | Fast Break Points | 3 |
34 | Points in Paint | 28 |
18 | Fouls | 12 |
24 | Largest Lead | 0 |
Game Information
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Attendance: 11,333 · Capacity:
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