Sky-Mercury Preview
The Phoenix Mercury will look to avenge a recent loss to the Chicago Sky when the teams meet again Tuesday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.
Phoenix (10-13) is third in the WNBA's Western Conference, 10 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Sparks. The Mercury won their past two games after losing three in a row.
Phoenix is coming off an 83-64 victory over the San Antonio Stars. DeWanna Bonner scored 33 points on 11-of-16 shooting for the Mercury, who shot 50.8 percent from the field while holding the Stars to 41.7 percent shooting.
Chicago (10-12) is tied for third in the Eastern Conference, six games behind the first-place New York Liberty. The Sky won three of their past four games and are coming off a 91-88 victory over the Seattle Storm.
Sky star Elena Delle Donne scored 35 points on 14-of-24 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds against Seattle. She scored the team's final nine points, including a game-winning 3-pointer with one second remaining.
Phoenix and Chicago already faced each other twice this season, and they will meet for the second time in 10 days. The Mercury beat the Sky 86-80 on June 12 in Phoenix and took a 100-95 loss July 10 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.
In the most recent meeting, Allie Quigley came off the bench to score 21 points, leading six players who scored in double figures for Chicago. Delle Donne had 19 points and nine rebounds. Phoenix was led by Diana Taurasi, who had 21 points and six assists. Brittney Griner blocked seven shots.
Taurasi had an even bigger game the first time the teams squared off. She made six of 12 from 3-point range and finished with 31 points. Phoenix shot just 35.3 percent while allowing Chicago to shoot 47 percent, but the Mercury made nine 3-pointers and outscored the Sky 29-15 at the free-throw line.
Chicago will be without centers Erika de Souza and Clarissa Dos Santos. Both players left the team to represent Brazil in the Summer Olympics and will not return until after the WNBA's month-long break for the Summer Games.
