Seattle’s Nneka Ogwumike had 17 factors and eight rebounds because the Storm defeated the host Phoenix Mercury 89-70 on Thursday night time in what could have been the ultimate residence recreation of Phoenix legend Diana Taurasi’s profession.
Taurasi, 42, has not formally introduced she is retiring after this season, however the Mercury hinted in promotional materials that Thursday may very well be Taurasi’s last bow. Retired WNBA icon Sue Chook and UConn coach Geno Auriemma — Taurasi’s faculty coach from 2000-04 — have been amongst these in attendance.
The three-time champion and 2009 league MVP scored 9 factors on 3-of-6 capturing from 3-point vary, upping her league-record scoring complete to 10,646 factors in 565 profession regular-season video games.
The Mercury (19-21) are heading to the WNBA playoffs because the No. 7 seed and nonetheless might host a playoff recreation in the event that they cut up the primary two video games of their best-of-three first-round sequence on the second-seeded Minnesota Lynx.
The result of Thursday’s regular-season finale had no affect on both group’s positioning. The Storm (25-15) are the No. 5 seed and can face the No. 4 Las Vegas Aces within the first spherical.
All 5 Storm starters scored in double digits. Skylar Diggins-Smith and Mercedes Russell every posted 14, Sami Whitcomb had 11 with eight rebounds and Gabby Williams scored 10. Joyner Holmes added 10 off the bench.
Seattle outshot Phoenix 44.9 p.c to 38.1 p.c general and outscored the Mercury 39-18 from behind the arc.
Brittney Griner had 11 factors and eight boards to tempo Phoenix. Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Mack scored 10 apiece.
Seattle used a 14-0 run to interrupt open a 33-9 lead late within the first quarter. Diggins-Smith and Whitcomb hit 3-pointers to ignite the run.
The Mercury clamped down on the Storm within the second quarter, permitting simply eight factors. Seattle shot 68.2 p.c from the sector within the first quarter and simply 25 p.c within the second. The Mercury bought inside 10 factors earlier than settling for a 43-31 deficit at halftime.
The Storm regained a 20-point benefit on one other 3 from Diggins-Smith that made it 60-40 with 3:02 remaining within the third quarter. They held the Mercury roughly 20 factors at bay the remainder of the night time, as followers’ consideration turned to Taurasi and a postgame celebration in her honor.
Mercury main scorer Kahleah Copper (again) returned from a three-game absence and scored 4 factors in 25 minutes.
The Storm sat main scorer Jewell Loyd (knee) and Ezi Magbegor (concussion). They every missed their third straight recreation.
–Discipline Degree Media