Michaela Smalley | July 13th, 2019
Diana Taurasi made her long-awaited return to hoops Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut vs the Connecticut Sun. Taurasi, who had been out for the first half of the season with a back injury that required surgery, went through the team’s pre-game shoot around and several other drills at full speed prior to being in the starting lineup for the Mercury. Though the Mercury led the Sun 36-30 at halftime, the Sun came out shooting well. The Sun’s entire starting lineup turned into scoring machines, as all five finished the game in double figures after going on a 17-1 run in the 2nd half.
Although Phoenix forward Dewanna Bonner had 20 points, the Mercury were never able to bounce back. This ultimately allowed the Sun to get the 79-64 victory on their home court. This much-needed win comes after five-game losing streak which made Connecticut fall to number three in league standings with a 10-6 record. Phoenix is currently sitting at number eight in league standings with a 7-7 record. During the game, Sancho Lyttle (Phoenix) also sustained a left knee injury with 6:22 left in the 3rd quarter after being run into by Jonquel Jones (Connecticut). She immediately hit the ground and grabbed her left knee, the same knee in which she tore her ACL last season. Lyttle will be evaluated in Phoenix within the next couple of days and will not play Sunday in the Mercury’s away game vs the Minnesota Lynx.
Minnesota, who currently sit at number 4 with a 9-7 record, fell to the Atlanta Dream in a heartbreaker Friday night and will be looking to bounce back on their home court on Sunday. Phoenix will be looking to do the same. This game vs the Lynx will tip-off at 7:00 ET, 6:00 CT at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.
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