The Morning After: Mercury vs Storm
The Morning After: Mercury vs Storm
A quick recap of the highlights of the Mercury vs Storm game on May 20.
A quick recap of the highlights of the Mercury vs Storm game on May 20.
Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm 05-20-18 (Phoenix won, 87-82)
THE Griner Grind
Brittney Griner got her mind right and did a complete 180-degree turn in this game. She got the first points of the game and helped the Mercury shoot 59-71% in the first quarter and jump out to a 26-12 lead. She stayed out of foul trouble the entire game. The Storm had no true defensive answer for her, and they knew it. To paraphrase former Indiana Fever great Tamika Catchings, "You can't teach 6'9"." Griner ended the game with a double-double (29 points, 10 rebounds) and was the team's leading scorer.
Rook Look
Marie Gülich looked a lot more comfortable in her second professional regular season game. In an interesting turn of events, she managed to hold her own against the Storm's defensive specialists Natasha Howard and Breanna Stewart and even managed to score on Howard for a wide-open layup.
Get Me Bodied
The Mercury held their own against a rather physical Seattle team, and literally have the scars to prove it: Griner got popped in the jaw and limped a bit after tangling up her feet after an uncalled travel (more on that next). Taurasi played with a banged-up and wrapped thigh.
Traveling Miles
Griner wasn't called for at least two clear travels...on Seattle's home court. Don't hate the player...
Feeling Charitable
The Mercury scored 25 points from the charity stripe, which put Seattle in foul trouble relatively early.
A LYTTLE Lyttle bit of this, A little bit of that
Once again, Sancho Lyttle and Camille Little provided a defensive boost. They took the brunt of the Storm's efforts with two rebounds each and lots of fouls (Lyttle played with five fouls, Little with four). Lyttle added eight points.
The Buddy System
The Mercury upped their assists during this game for a team total of 20. Bonner: seven assists. January: six assists. Griner: four assists. Leilani Mitchell: two assists. Taurasi had one assist. Teamwork makes the dream work!
On The Rebound
The Mercury tallied 23 defensive rebounds and five offensive rebounds, which is a lot better than the measly three O-rebounds in the last game against the Dallas Wings. Progress!
Building Blocks
As part of the "Brittney Blocks" initiative, ABUS is donating $50 to Phoenix Children's Hospital for every recorded block that Griner makes in a game. Last night, she made three recorded blocks during the game and netted the hospital $150. Current tally: $250
Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm 05-20-18 (Phoenix won, 87-82)
THE Griner Grind
Brittney Griner got her mind right and did a complete 180-degree turn in this game. She got the first points of the game and helped the Mercury shoot 59-71% in the first quarter and jump out to a 26-12 lead. She stayed out of foul trouble the entire game. The Storm had no true defensive answer for her, and they knew it. To paraphrase former Indiana Fever great Tamika Catchings, "You can't teach 6'9"." Griner ended the game with a double-double (29 points, 10 rebounds) and was the team's leading scorer.
Rook Look
Marie Gülich looked a lot more comfortable in her second professional regular season game. In an interesting turn of events, she managed to hold her own against the Storm's defensive specialists Natasha Howard and Breanna Stewart and even managed to score on Howard for a wide-open layup.
Get Me Bodied
The Mercury held their own against a rather physical Seattle team, and literally have the scars to prove it: Griner got popped in the jaw and limped a bit after tangling up her feet after an uncalled travel (more on that next). Taurasi played with a banged-up and wrapped thigh.
Traveling Miles
Griner wasn't called for at least two clear travels...on Seattle's home court. Don't hate the player...
Feeling Charitable
The Mercury scored 25 points from the charity stripe, which put Seattle in foul trouble relatively early.
A LYTTLE Lyttle bit of this, A little bit of that
Once again, Sancho Lyttle and Camille Little provided a defensive boost. They took the brunt of the Storm's efforts with two rebounds each and lots of fouls (Lyttle played with five fouls, Little with four). Lyttle added eight points.
The Buddy System
The Mercury upped their assists during this game for a team total of 20. Bonner: seven assists. January: six assists. Griner: four assists. Leilani Mitchell: two assists. Taurasi had one assist. Teamwork makes the dream work!
On The Rebound
The Mercury tallied 23 defensive rebounds and five offensive rebounds, which is a lot better than the measly three O-rebounds in the last game against the Dallas Wings. Progress!
Building Blocks
As part of the "Brittney Blocks" initiative, ABUS is donating $50 to Phoenix Children's Hospital for every recorded block that Griner makes in a game. Last night, she made three recorded blocks during the game and netted the hospital $150. Current tally: $250