Hoops Happening: Lucky 7s for Diana Taurasi in a WNBA first

Well, there’s a first time for everything, and it’s no surprise that the arguable WNBA GOAT, Diana Taurasi, would be the one to do something totally new 22 years into the league’s history.

In the Mercury’s outing against the Liberty last night in New York, Taurasi propelled her team (which was looking to overcome an upset loss against the Chicago Sky over the weekend) to an 83-69 victory. She did it by scoring a total of 27 points for Phoenix, but she made WNBA history by becoming the first player to start a game with 7-of-7 made three-pointers. Oh, and to complete the the lucky 7s madness, she also dished 7 assists. Now, whether this is luck, fate or a well-crafted plan on Taurasi’s part, we’ll never know ... until she confesses all in a post-retirement memoir we hope she’ll write one day.

Taurasi’s teammates also came out to play. DeWanna Bonner scored 18 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 5 assists, while Brittney Griner and Sancho Lyttle scored 12 points apiece.

Tina Charles, Shavonte Zellous, Bria Hartley and Amanda Zahui B all scored in double figures for the Liberty, but clearly it was not enough to secure them the victory in the face of Taurasi’s freakish performance.

Other game results

Also in Tuesday action ...

Mystics (92) vs. (80) Sun

Chiney Ogwumike’s 17-point and 11-rebound double-double (with Jasmine Thomas, Alex Bentley and Morgan Tuck all scoring in double figures) was not enough to get past the Mystics on a night when Elena Delle Donne scored 25 points, LaToya Sanders contributed 18, Kristi Toliver added 14 and Ariel Atkins put in 13. But the game was lost for the Sun off of turnovers — Connecticut lost the ball 17 times to Washington’s 7. And the Mystics, clearly, capitalized on those mistakes at Capital One Arena.

Lynx (91) vs. (79) Storm

After a slow start to the season, which had Minnesota looking out of sorts and nothing like the champions they are, the cylinders are aligned and running smoothly. And the Lynx clenched this dominant win over the Storm because Sylvia Fowles played like the MVP that she is, tallying 28 points and 17 rebounds for sick double-double. On an uncharacteristic goose-egg scoring night for Seimone Augustus, and Lindsay Whalen still struggling to find her game, Maya Moore scored 32 points. Breanna Stewart was the high-scorer for Seattle, with 27 points, and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Jordin Canada each scored in double digits, but it wasn’t enough to get past Minny. And, just like that ... losses against the Lynx yesterday, the Las Vegas Aces on June 19 and barely getting past the Indiana Fever on June 22 has the once-threatening Storm looking like a light drizzle.

Sparks (87) vs. (83) Wings

Ms. Double Feature, who some call Liz Cambage, scored 25 points and grabbed 14 boards in the Wings’ loss to the Sparks. Despite double-digit scoring from Kayla Thornton, Azura Stevens and Skylar Diggins-Smith, the Sparks pulled away at the end, winning the fourth quarter 23-15 (after Dallas had tied or won the first three periods). In the win, Candace Parker scored a game-high 29 points and Chelsea Gray contributed 23. Riquna Williams scored 12 points off the bench.

In early Wednesday action ...

Sky (93) vs. Dream (80)

The good news for the Dream is that Brittney Sykes is back in the lineup and working her way back to where she left off. But this team has struggled mightily in the absence of Tiffany Hayes, who is still out with a left ankle injury. Renee Montgomery scored a team-high 19 points and Layshia Clarendon (who has moved into the starting lineup with Hayes being out) and Elizabeth Williams each scored 13 points. But it was a quiet afternoon for Angel McCoughtry, who finished with 6 points. The Sky, who have finally found their stride after a bumpy start to the season, got it done behind Diamond DeShield’s game-high 23 points (and she also grabbed 11 boards for a double-double), 22 points from Allie Quigley and double-digit scoring from Stefanie Dolson and Astou Ndour ... and 11 rebounds for Courtney Vandersloot. But this game was won at the bottom of the box score. Chicago out-rebounded the Dream 42-34 and out-assisted them 30-18.

Featured performance

Diana Taurasi

Link lush

• The stars were out at the NBA Awards! Check out the gorgeous garb of Ms. Angel McCoughtry.
• Baby Coachella, otherwise known as the Phoenix Mercury family room, sets a great example of humane treatment of working parents.
• Howard Megdal hits on the key mileposts in Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve’s path to 200 wins.
• Mavs Moneyball brought it with this deep dive into the unappreciated art of offensive rebounding, using the Dallas Wings as an exquisite case study.
• Inspiration everyone needs — more Body Issue photos.
• And that Stewie has been a busy behemoth lately. The Storm star signed with Dynamo Kursk for overseas play.
• WNBA Prez Lisa Borders was named one of InStyle’s 50 badass women.
• Week 6 Power Rankings are in. Do you agree?
• She’s baaaack! Sparks signed Karlie Samuelson.

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