clap your hands!
What, too soon?
Personally, I loved that clap at/clap back/talk clap back storyline between Williams and Taurasi. I respect Williams coming for the Queen. It’s a bold move – and necessary. But, you best be prepared to lose your head. <G> Of course, next time the tables might be turned…. But at the moment, we’re not talking about next time, we’re talking about…. SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!!!!! ’cause Seattle v. Phoenix and Washington .v. Atlanta is is gonna be some fun!
- ESPN: Diana Taurasi claps last, leads Mercury past Connecticut
- AP Doug: Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi help Mercury overcome Sun
- SB Nation: Diana Taurasi is 36 and somehow has never been better
- Hartford Courant: Taurasi Takes Over As Phoenix Eliminates Sun 96-86
- More Courant: Mike Anthony: Taurasi, Griner Answer Mercury Call, Send Sun Into Offseason (GREAT picture)
AZ Central: Phoenix Mercury advance to WNBA semifinals with win over Connecticut Sun
Playing in front of many fans who used to cheer for her in college, Diana Taurasi broke hearts once again.
The former University of Connecticut star guard scored 27 points to lift fifth-seeded Phoenix over the Connecticut Sun, 96-86, on Thursday in a WNBA playoff game at Mohegan Sun Arena.
BTW: Sun Coach Curt Miller Aims for Honesty With Team and Family
That Sunday, Brian took Miller back to the airport. In his third season with the Sun, Miller, believed to be the first openly gay male coach of a professional sports team in the United States, refocused on taking his team to the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
And he did. The Sun won nine of their last 10 games to earn a first-round bye. They will host a single-elimination, second-round game against the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night.
But there was someone missing during Miller’s visit, someone whose anguish he always carries with him. Brian’s twin, Shawn, was not home. He was in an Indiana correctional facility, serving a 13-year sentence after a conviction for armed robbery in 2014.
Also: A huge shout out to the fabulous pre-game/post-game coverage by the Connecticut media. It would have been great for the Sun to have continued their playoff run – if only to give the league and its fans the benefit of their good, caring, in-depth work.
That other game: Not a lot of fun to be had during the Mystics/Sparks game – unless you were a Washington fan. For whatever many reasons possible, LA simply didn’t have a … spark, and Washington was all magic.
ESPN: Mystics’ balance, chemistry overwhelm Sparks in blowout win
“They’ve figured out their team,” Ogwumike said. “They’re not just playing well; they put people in good positions. People thrive because they have the chemistry. They know what people are good at and what people like to do. … They’re playing stress free.”
- High Post Hoops – Takeaways: Washington Mystics destroy Los Angeles Sparks 96-64
- Los Angeles Times – Sparks eliminated from WNBA playoffs with 96-64 loss to Mystics
- Washington Post – Mystics hammer road-weary Sparks, move on in WNBA playoffs
- Washington Times – Mystics dominate Sparks to punch ticket to WNBA semis
- Bullets Forever – Mystics vs Sparks final score: Washington advances to semifinals
- Fansided: Storm vs. Mercury is the WNBA’s past and future
- Seattle Times: Storm faces Phoenix Mercury in WNBA semifinals
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Hawks’ Bazemore buys 300 Atlanta Dream playoff tickets for local youth