As one of two WNBA teams with multiple victories and no defeats in the early part of the season, the Phoenix Mercury will be out to continue their hot start in a repeat matchup against the Seattle Storm on Friday.
In the season opener for both teams last Saturday, the Mercury (2-0) delivered a convincing 81-59 home victory over the Storm. Satou Sabally scored 27 points with six rebounds and two blocked shots as Phoenix got its new era off to a roaring start.
Alyssa Thomas scored 20 points with seven rebounds and six assists as the Mercury shot 51.7 percent from the floor and held the Storm to 33.3 percent.
A retooled roster, with eight players making their franchise debut in the opener, has come as stars Diana Taurasi retired and Brittney Griner departed for the Atlanta Dream in free agency.
Sabally scored 25 points, with 12 made free throws, while Thomas added 19 points and seven assists in Wednesday’s 89-86 home victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Sabally became the first Phoenix player to score at least 25 points in the first two games of a season.
“Satou is super talented. I’m going to be honest: I didn’t think she was very good tonight,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “If you ask her, I’m sure she would tell you the same thing. But even when she is not at her best, she can find 25, which is really impressive. I think there is better basketball ahead of her.”
The Storm (1-1) rebounded from their loss to the Mercury to earn a 79-71 victory on the road against the Dallas Wings on Monday. Nneka Ogwumike dominated with 23 points and 18 rebounds, while Skylar Diggins added 21 points and Gabby Williams delivered 17.
After going 3 of 17 (17.6 percent) from 3-point range in their season opener, Seattle was 9 of 15 (60 percent) from distance against the Wings. Diggins and Williams combined to go 6 of 8.
The Storm had 25 assists on 29 made baskets Monday, with Diggins collecting nine, after they had 16 assists on 21 makes in their opener. Diggins has scored 21 points in each of the first two games.
“We’re trying to play in the middle third with Sky a little more, make her be a playmaker and a decision maker,” Storm head coach Noelle Quinn said. “… but the complimentary pieces that we have, to where she doesn’t always have to be on the ball, I think it really helps to get her in space and to find some rhythm on different spots on the floor.
–Field Level Media
