Sun Outshine Mercury 96-94

Game Preview:

Mercury Look To Bounce Back Against Connecticut Sun, 3 p.m. AZT - SB Nation Arizona
The Mercury will need to do a better job on the glass and in the paint to beat the Sun, who are led by rookie center Tina Charles.

Penny Taylor, sprained right ankle, will start for Phoenix.

Post Game:

Phoenix Mercury Have A Decision To Make - SB Nation Arizona
With Ohlde on the floor, the Mercury can't run quite as much and more importantly, the floor isn't spread as well. Instead of having four shooters surrounding Dupree, you know have a more traditional combination of power forward and center, who both need to be closer to the paint. That shuts down driving lanes for Taylor and Taurasi and changes the Mercury's half court sets considerably.

This is a trade-off that Gaines will have to consider, especially when Smith is only shooting 33% from three -- her worst percentage in the last five years. When Tangela isn't hitting open shots and she's not bringing much energy or post presence, she's more of a liability on the floor than Nicole -- even if that means sacrificing some offense. The Mercury, with Ohlde, still managed to score 27 points in the 4th quarter against one of the better defenses in the league.

Correction: Penny Taylor's Surgically Repaired Ankle Injured In San Antonio Game - SB Nation Arizona
In our previous reports we stated that Penny's injury on Friday was not to the same ankle that she had surgically repaired in May 2009. This was incorrect. Both the surgery and the recent sprain were to her right ankle. The official press release from last year when Taylor returned inaccurately stated it was her left ankle that had been operated on.

Taylor returned to the court Sunday and played a fantastic game. She finished with 23 points on 8 of 15 shooting and had 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 34 minutes of play.