Sun-Mercury Game Thread

Final, Mercury 87-80: Diana Taurasi finished with 25 points and a kiss to the crowd after receiving a technical foul. But at least she could smile. The Sun went on a 10-0 run late in the third quarter to get within a point and again, cut it to three points midway through the fourth. But they never could break though, done in by a lack of rebounding (45-38 deficit) and defensive stops.

Tangela Smith finished with 21 points and Cappie Pondexter added 16 more before fouling out. Lindsay Whalen (14 points, all in the second half) tried to take over late, but Phoenix hit five of six throws in the final minute to stave off the comeback.

Not really sure why Taurasi received a technical. She may have said something sarcastic to the ref.

End of Half, 40-36 Mercury: Considering the Sun's poor start, the Sun are in a good spot. They outscored Phoenix, 20-13, in the second quarter and worked the ball inside and around the zone for good looks, though the 4-of-18 mark from 3 hurts. The Mercury have cooled too; they've hit one of their last five 3s and have committed nine turnovers. Still, they've been able to keep the Sun at arm's length thanks to Diana Taurasi (16 points).

At one point while Asjha Jones (a team-high nine points) was taking a foul shot, a fan called down to Taurasi, who was standing alone the opposite baseline, 'Yo, D, how you been?' Taurasi, without turning around, gave a thumbs up that drew a chuckle from the fans in the area.

One reason for concern: Lindsay Whalen has been largely invisible, scoring zero points on just two shots. We'll see if she starts being more aggressive from the start.

End of 1st quarter, 27-16 Mercury: The Sun look sluggish on defense and Phoenix isn't missing. The Mercury hit 5-of-7 from beihd the 3-point line and are shooting better than 50 percent from the floor. Connecticut is settling too much from the outside against the Phoenix zone and aren't hitting the boards. All and all, not a good start at all.