This is a weekly recap of the Phoenix Mercury games. Please note that the WNBA doesn’t schedule games on Mondays.

DISCLAIMER: Synopses include the official WNBA game stats. Any opinions are solely those of this writer. Don’t @ me.

Making Her-story

Fresh off a season-opening win over the Dallas Wings on May 18, the Mercury visited fellow Western Conference powerhouse Seattle Storm, in Seattle on May 20. While the Storm swept Phoenix during the preseason, Phoenix answered with an 87-82 victory. The new-look Mercury went with the same starting five used in the season opener: Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, new offseason acquisitions Brianne January and Sancho Lyttle, and DeWanna Bonner.  Bonner continued to show that there was little rust in her game after taking last season off due to pregnancy (she gave birth to twins over the summer with her wife, Candice Dupree of the Indiana Fever).

Taurasi made history with her 1,000 career three-pointer. She joins Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Klay Thompson and Steph Curry (both of Golden State Warriors) as the only players in either the WNBA or NBA to record 1,000 career three-pointers in less than 400 games. This game was no. 399 for Taurasi. Griner recorded three blocks.

Fool Me Once...

Three days later, the Storm and the Mercury met again, this time in Phoenix. The outcome was not what the Mercury desired. Seattle seemed to figure out an answer for the Mercury in the form of their offseason acquisition Natasha Howard, and rookie Jordin Canada. Jewell Loyd also got hot, and Courtney Paris provided a nice spark off the bench. Phoenix didn’t help their own cause with a plethora of turnovers. The end was not pretty: Storm 87, Mercury 71. Griner recorded three blocks.

Lit Up

The Mercury hit the road again to visit Los Angeles and their fellow three-time WNBA champions, the Sparks, on May 27. Phoenix has not been able to beat the Sparks on their home court in six seasons. Sunday night was no different, as the Mercury started out hot with their new look. The Sparks quickly adjusted to the novelty and while Phoenix took the lead a few times, the Sparks got a lot of help from their bench to eventually pull away and put the Mercury to bed with an 80-72 win.  Griner recorded two blocks.

Brittney Blocks

ABUS, the sponsor of the “Brittney Blocks” initiative, will donate $50 per block to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Current tally: $400

Up Next

Wednesday, May 30: Washington Mystics vs. Mercury, 10:00 pm ET (League Pass)

Friday, June 1: Mercury at Minnesota Lynx, 8:00 pm ET (ESPN2)

Sunday, June 3: Mercury at Atlanta Dream, 3:00 pm ET (League Pass)