Taurasi Shines with 23 Points as Cunningham Notches First Double-Double in Mercury’s 86-68 Victory Over Sky

PHOENIX — The Mercury returned to Phoenix for the first time since the All-Star/Olympic break, delivering an impressive 86-68 victory over the Chicago Sky. Diana Taurasi was a standout player, scoring 23 points, with 12 of those in Phoenix’s highest-scoring first quarter of the season. Sophie Cunningham contributed significantly with 13 points and achieved a career-best 10 rebounds, marking her first WNBA double-double. Brittney Griner also played a crucial role, adding 18 points to the team’s strong performance.

Monique Billings made a notable impact, scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds in just 23 minutes after signing a seven-day contract earlier that day. The Mercury started strong, with Taurasi hitting a pull-up 3-pointer early in the first quarter, establishing a lead they would maintain for nearly 38 minutes. An 11-3 run sparked by Taurasi’s free throws pushed the score to 22-11, concluding the quarter at 32-19 after another jumper from Taurasi.

On the opposing side, Angel Reese had a standout game for Chicago, scoring 19 points and securing a career-high 20 rebounds. Notably, she set a record by achieving 20 double-doubles in the fastest time in league history. Chennedy Carter also performed well, with 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Kamilla Cardoso and Isabelle Harrison each chipped in 12 points.

Despite their efforts, the Sky struggled with shooting, hitting only 35.9% from the field and failing to make a single 3-point shot. The team’s free-throw shooting was also off, with just 12 of 21 made. This defeat followed a prior victory for Chicago against the Los Angeles Sparks, showcasing the team’s inconsistency.

The Mercury now lead the season series against the Sky, having won both previous matchups. They will face Chicago once more next month. Previously, Phoenix defeated the Sky 85-65, only to face a loss against the Indiana Fever shortly after the season resumed.

Phoenix remains a vibrant sports hub, home to multiple professional teams across major leagues, including the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Mercury, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. The city also plays host to a variety of annual sporting events, further contributing to its dynamic sports culture.