Tag: Phoenix Mercury

Arike Ogunbowale leads Wings to most wins for a single season in team history

The Wings picked up their 19th win of the season, the most they’ve had in a single season since moving to Dallas in 2016.

On Sunday, the Dallas Wings eliminated the Phoenix Mercury from playoff contention with their 77-74 win on the road. This was the Wings’ 19th win of the season, the most they’ve had in a single season since moving to Dallas in 2016.

Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale led the team in scoring with 29 points, which included four 3-pointers. Earlier this season, Dallas head coach Latricia Trammell mentioned that Ogunbowale is the leader of the team and is ready for the challenge. With performances like this, Ogunbowale is proving her coach correct.

After the win, coach Trammell shared her thoughts on the 19-win milestone.

“The great team that I have, every one of those players in that locker room has been a major factor in some way,” said Trammell when asked how she got the team to 19 wins. “I think the buy-in, the will to win, the love for one another, the connection they have – I have to give them all the credit because they’re the ones sacrificing. These young ladies have done a lot to get us in this position.”

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Mercury All-Star Brittney Griner expected to return to play Saturday

Griner is one of many at the forefront of advocating for and speaking up about the importance of mental health for athletes.

The Phoenix Mercury announced on July 29 that star center Brittney Griner would take time off “to focus on her mental health.” Griner made an appearance on Aug. 4 when Diana Taurasi made history as the first player in the WNBA to reach 10,000 career points. Later that day, the team announced Griner was expected to return to play on Saturday.

The statement about Griner’s return read: “Mercury center Brittney Griner is expected to return to play tomorrow, Saturday, Aug, 5, when the Mercury tip off against the Seattle Storm at 7 p.m. at Footprint Center.”

Griner is one of many at the forefront of advocating for and speaking up about the importance of mental health for athletes. Other athletes who have been openly discussing the importance include Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and professional tennis star Naomi Osaka.

When the announcement for Griner’s temporary rest was announced, people flooded social media to show support for her.

While physical health has always been a priority in sports, the mental health of these athletes is often pushed to the side. As research has shown, when mental health is not a priority, a myriad of other problems surface, which then ultimately affect physical health.

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WNBA fans celebrated Diana Taurasi after she reached historic 10K career points

Diana Taurasi made WNBA history on Thursday night.

Phoenix Mercury superstar Diana Taurasi achieved a goal on Thursday night that no other WNBA player ever has.

Taurasi notched her 10,000th point during the Mercury’s 91-71 victory over the Atlanta Dream, making her the first WNBA player to ever cross that point threshold.

She’s perhaps the best-ever to take the court in the WNBA, and it was a fitting accomplishment for such a vital athlete to the sport.

When Taurasi hit the historic shot, she had the perfect reaction to celebrate crossing 10,000 points for her career. Her Mercury teammates immediately joined her to ring in the major moment.

It’s a fantastic moment for the WNBA legend, one who will forever be remembered for what she’s done in the sport.

As you could imagine, WNBA fans gave Taurasi her well-earned props for notching this historic milestone with the Mercury.

Check out all the good vibes going Taurasi’s way as she puts her name in the WNBA history books.

WNBA Twitter reacts to Diana Taurasi hitting 10,000-point milestone

Taurasi is the first player in WNBA history to reach 10,000 career points.

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi hit a milestone that no other player in the WNBA has ever reached. Taurasi is the first player in WNBA history to reach 10,000 career points. She only needed 18 points to hit the milestone and instead, she dropped 42 points in the Mercury’s 91-71 win over the Atlanta Dream.

With those 42 points, it is the most she’s scored during regulation in a game and her fourth 40-point game in her career. She is also the oldest player with a 40-point game in WNBA history, passing Cynthia Cooper (36 years, 124 days) in 1999, as per ESPN Stats and Info. The only player in NBA history with a 40-point game at age 40 or older is Michael Jordan, who did it in 2003 with the Washington Wizards.

“I’m really thankful to the game of basketball,” Taurasi said. “It’s what I love. It’s my passion and it makes me feel good every single day. I can’t wait for all of the good things to come – not only for this team but for the WNBA in the future.”

See what Twitter had to say about the achievement.

WNBA Twitter shows support for Brittney Griner during absence from Mercury

While she is only expected to be out from July 30-Aug. 1, the timeline for her return has not been announced.

The Phoenix Mercury announced on Saturday that star center Brittney Griner will take time off “to focus on her mental health.” Griner did not play in the Mercury’s 104-85 loss to the Chicago Sky on Sunday.

The statement said: “Mercury center Brittney Griner will not travel with the team on its upcoming two-game road trip to Chicago and Indiana to focus on her mental health. The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return.”

In April, Griner participated in her first press conference since being released from a Russian prison where she was wrongfully detained. She shared she has no desire to play overseas again.

Griner made headlines in 2022 when she was unlawfully detained in Russia on her way to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg. Griner had played in Russia since 2014 to supplement her WNBA income.

While she is only expected to be out from July 30-Aug. 1, the timeline for her return has not been announced. When the statement was released, social media supporters flooded the Mercury’s timeline with messages of support and love for Griner.

Brittney Griner says 2024 All-Star in Phoenix will be ‘a lot of fun’

This will be the third time the Phoenix Mercury have hosted the event, mostly recently in 2014.

The WNBA All-Star Weekend returns to Phoenix in 2024, the league announced. This will be the third time the Phoenix Mercury have hosted the event.

They most recently hosted the festivities in 2014.

“The WNBA is excited to bring WNBA All-Star (Game) back to Phoenix for the third time in our nearly three-decade history,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “Having an inaugural WNBA franchise in the Mercury host this two-day celebration is perfect as the basketball world focuses its eyes on the WNBA and today’s greatest stars.”

The event will take place at Footprint Center, home of the three-time WNBA champion Mercury.

“As I’ve said from Day 1, we are going to make Phoenix one of the leading basketball destinations in the world and the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is going to be an unbelievable experience,” said Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns owner. “As the women’s game continues to grow and reach new heights, we are going to put on an All-Star weekend that will accelerate that growth and elevate the league. I want to thank the WNBA and the entire Phoenix community for coming together to help bring the WNBA All-Star Game to the Valley. I couldn’t be more excited to show the world what Phoenix basketball is all about.”

When asked what to expect at All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, Brittney Griner of the Mercury said: “A lot of fun, a lot of fun. It’s going to be some special things going on. So you’re just going to have to come and see what happens. Hope you get an invite.”

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Watch: Jewell Loyd ties WNBA record with nine 3-pointers in a game

She is on fire this season.

Former Notre Dame guard [autotag]Jewell Loyd[/autotag] already is having her best season ever with the Seattle Storm. Plus, she seemingly is pushing herself to new heights every game. The latest example came in the Storm’s 93-86 loss to the Washington Mystics. Despite the defeat, Loyd did everything she could in scoring 39 points and tying the WNBA single-game record with nine 3-pointers:

Loyd had a chance to break the record at the final buzzer, but her shot went off the rim. The way the All-Star and former top overall pick has been playing, don’t be surprised if she has another chance to break that record this season. For now, she’ll have to be content with matching the mark set by the Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell in 2019.

As well as Loyd as played, it hasn’t be enough to prevent a six-game losing streak for the Storm that has given them the league’s worst record at 4-16. All she can do is continue to play well. At least Storm fans can look forward to that.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Brittney Griner received a heartwarming fan reception before her first home game in almost 2 years

Brittney Griner was given an emotional introduction in her return to Phoenix.

It’s been an emotional few days for Brittney Griner and WNBA fans. Friday was Griner’s first WNBA game in nearly two years and it was as special of a night as you could ask for.

And now, Griner has officially hit the court back home in Phoenix for the first time in 585 days. Ahead of the Phoenix Mercury’s home opener against the Chicago Sky, Griner was given a wonderfully hype and heartwarming welcome back by fans in her introduction.

MORE WNBA: The best WNBA storylines to watch this season, including Brittney Griner’s return.

Set to “Coming Home” by Ditty, Griner took the court to loud cheers from the Phoenix faithful in attendance in an incredibly awesome moment.

Not only that, Griner kicked the scoring off for the Mercury with this early strike to really get the crowd going.

Welcome home, Brittney Griner!

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The 7 best moments from Brittney Griner’s return to the WNBA on opening night

Brittney Griner is officially back, y’all.

After everything Brittney Griner has been through over the last year or so, she always told us that she was going to get back on the court for this WNBA season.

Here we are 579 days later and Griner is officially back like she never left.

RELATED: The best WNBA storylines to watch this season, including Brittney Griner’s return. 

The Mercury center made her first WNBA appearance since 2021 on Friday when Phoenix played the Sparks. Griner’s Mercury didn’t win the game, but she was impressive nonetheless. And it felt like just about everyone came out to support Griner and show her love for her return.

Here are 7 awesome moments from a night we won’t forget anytime soon.

Notre Dame players in WNBA for 2023 season

Who are the former Irish to watch this season?

The 2023 WNBA season is upon us at an all-time high in popularity for women’s basketball. More opportunities are opening up for female hoopsters at all levels, and everyone is better for it. After the thrilling college season we just had, it’s time for the professionals to show what they can do. Particular attention should be given to these players since they paved the way for the sport to reach these unprecedented levels of attention.

Notre Dame has been one of the best women’s programs for some time now. Their two national championships since the turn of the century are evidence of that, but you can see it in the WNBA, too. Ten former Irish are suiting up in the league this season, which gives Notre Dame the second-most players of any program. If you need a refresher as to who to follow over the next few months, here they are: