:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36046890/451554218.0.jpg)
TGIF everyone! Here are some links from the day that was Thursday:
Final Scores from Thursday
The Phoenix Mercury blew out the Los Angeles Sparks, 93-73 on the road. All five Mercury starters scored double digits in points. The starting frontcourt of DeWanna Bonner, Candice Dupree, and Brittney Griner shot a 20-24 from the field for a combined 50 points. Bonner and Griner made 24 of those in a blistering 36-19 first quarter run too. But here's Bonner/Dupree/Griner's combined shot chart - and take a look at how they did at the rim. That's how this game was won:
The New York Liberty defeated the Seattle Storm, 84-80 in overtime. Cappie Pondexter and Tina Charles combined for 38 points, and Sugar Rodgers scored 18 more off the bench. I know Seattle lost, but Temeka Johnson, a 5'3" guard had a triple double with 13 points, 11 assists, and 10 REBOUNDS! Sue Bird, who is a 5'9" guard has a career high of EIGHT rebounds in a single game during her career, and hasn't grabbed more than four in any game this season. Yeah, maybe some of the rebounds fell Johnson's way, but still, an EXCELLENT individual performance nevertheless despite the loss. Here's a recap from Seattle Times reporter Jayda Evans.
Oh, I almost forgot. Here's the video of Johnson's triple double (embedded below):
WNBA News and Links
Sparks owner Magic Johnson was watching Thursday's game. I know that he and his partners at Guggenheim have other entities, like the Los Angeles Dodgers MLB team, where they are in contention for the AL West crown or at least the Wild Card in the MLB playoffs. He and his partners were also among the parties to bid on the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team, which is in a mess off the court to say the least. I will give him the benefit of the doubt right now as a first-year owner, but if he doesn't make changes this offseason, the sentiments of this tweet could be something that many WNBA fans could feel.
and if this is the way @magicjohnson is going to behave with the @LA_Sparks perhaps @wnbaprez should have handed it to Lacob and SF outright
— The Starkman (@Starkman88) July 25, 2014
In the aforementioned Storm-Liberty game, Storm guard Sue Bird was a last-minute, and I mean a literal last minute scratch. She came out during warmups, but felt neck pain, and made the decision not to play.
Late switch to the Storm starting lineup - @Quickdeuce replaces @S10Bird, who is out tonight with a strained neck.
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 25, 2014
ICYMI @seattlestorm PG @S10Bird reportedly tweaked her neck during pregame warm-ups and did not play in 1st half vs @nyliberty #WNBA
— Cindy Brunson (@CindyBrunsonAZ) July 25, 2014
The Minnesota Lynx clinched a playoff spot with the Storm losing Thursday. It's still gonna be a little while before the Stars make it though:
The Minnesota Lynx have clinched a playoff spot with SEA loss. San Antonio Stars number is still at 8. #wnba
— Aneela Syed (@SAStarsBlogger) July 25, 2014
Tulsa Shock guard Skylar Diggins gave some quick pointers to Oprah.com on how she lives a healthy lifestyle. Click here to read.
ESPN writer Mechelle Voepel has a very well-thought out reflection on San Antonio Stars guard Becky Hammon's career in the WNBA. Click here to read it.
Hartford Courant writer John Altavilla has a piece on Washington Mystics rookies Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley, who have had about as smooth of a transition to the pros as anyone would have hoped, considering that they were mid first round picks. Click here to read his piece.
Nate talked with SB Nation's Bright Side of the Sun's Kris Habbas on various topics around the WNBA, including the All-Star Game and WNBA expansion, among other things. Click here to listen to their chat.
NCAA News and Links
Tulsa Shock guard Odyssey Sims won the 2013-14 Big 12 female athlete of the year. Sims, who played at Baylor, was the nation's leading scorer in women's college basketball, scoring 1,504 points, and won her third straight consensus First Team All-American honors. The male athlete of the year was Baylor football player Bryce Petty. Here's more from SB Nation's Our Daily Bears.
Florida International Assistant Coach Lindsay Bowen is one of the All-Time greats in Michigan State women's basketball. She led the Spartans to the 2005 National Championship game under then-head coach Joanne McCallie's regime, and left as the second highest scorer in program history. She then went on to have a career in the WNBA and Europe. Here's an article from the Detroit Free-Press where Bowen talks about her experiences coaching at FIU.