How Penny Taylor Helped The Mercury Make History

The Phoenix Mercury have had great players over the years, and some of them had big performances in the WNBA Finals.

Sep 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor (13) against the Chicago Sky during game one of the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sky 83-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury have had their share of scorers over the years, and whether it was the regular season or the playoffs, their stars had big games. The Mercury have made the playoffs 19 times in their history, and they have reached the WNBA Finals six times over the years.

Phoenix has won three championships in that time, and it was due to the performances of their stars. Their best players know what it takes to win, and if it means having a game of 30 or more points, they would deliver.

Sep 25, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor (13) warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images / Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images

On Sunday, the Las Vegas Aces beat the Mercury 91-78. Their star A'ja Wilson had 28 points, and she scored 20 of them in the first half. With her first half performance, the name Angel McCoughtry started to come up. McCoughtry holds the record for most points scored in a WNBA Finals game, and she had 38 back in 2011. She has had other 30-point performances in the Finals, and players like Breanna Stewart, Seimone Augustus and Jonquel Jones have also.

Sep 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Sky center Sylvia Fowles (34) battles for a loose ball against Phoenix Mercury center Ewelina Kobryn (left) and forward Penny Taylor during the second half in game three of the 2014 WNBA Finals at UIC Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images / Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Taylor takes over in Game 1

A Mercury legend is not too far behind these players, as Penny Taylor had 32 points in Phoenix's series against the Detroit Shock. Taylor started the series off with a bang, as she also had nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. Detroit spoiled her big game, as they beat Phoenix 108-100 to take the 1-0 lead.

Taylor has the most points in a Finals game when it comes to Mercury players, and another Phoenix legend is close behind her. Diana Taurasi had a 30-point game in a few days after Taylor's big game, and she had eight rebounds, three assists and a block in the process. That was the game that helped Phoenix tie the series.

Jul 18, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury player Diana Taurasi (left) and wife Penny Taylor walk the red carpet during the WNBA All Star weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Later on in that series, Taylor had another 30-point game, and she had three rebounds, two assists and two steals. That was the final game of the series, and the Mercury won their first championship as a result.

For now, Taylor and Taurasi are the only Mercury players who have had 30 or more in a Finals game. Brittney Griner came close, as she had 29 back in 2021. With the Mercury being in this year's Finals, there is an opportunity for one of their players to add their name to that list. However, time will tell if that ends up happening.

Taylor did great things in Phoenix, and despite the loss in that game, her big performance helped set the tone for her team.

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