The Phoenix Mercury almost achieved a perfect sweep against a fierce Western Conference rival in 2018, showcasing their dominance in a series that foreshadowed future playoff encounters! It was a hard-fought battle where the Mercury ultimately triumphed over the Dallas Wings with a 2-1 series victory, a team they would later meet again in the postseason.
But here's where it gets truly historic... The season kicked off with a bang for Phoenix in their home opener. Led by the legendary Diana Taurasi, the Mercury secured an 86-78 win. Taurasi wasn't just scoring; she was making history, pouring in 26 points and sinking five 3-pointers to become the first player in WNBA history to achieve 1,000 career 3-pointers! This monumental achievement for Taurasi and her team set a powerful tone for the season.
The Mercury's offensive prowess was on full display, with four other players scoring in double figures. DeWanna Bonner was a force, contributing a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Brittney Griner added 13 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked two shots. Briann January and Leilani Mitchell both chipped in with 10 points each, demonstrating the team's depth.
For the Dallas Wings, Liz Cambage and Skylar Diggins were the standout performers, each netting 18 points. Interestingly, Diggins would later join the Mercury herself, averaging an impressive 17.7 points in her initial season with the team. Despite their efforts, the Wings couldn't overcome the Mercury's collective strength.
Phoenix extended their winning streak to six games in the second matchup, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead with a narrow 75-72 victory. Taurasi once again led the charge with 21 points, while Diggins put up 18 points for Dallas. The Mercury's starting lineup proved crucial, with Griner adding 18 points, Bonner 13, and Sancho Lyttle contributing 12.
And this is the part most people miss... Just when a clean sweep seemed inevitable, the Dallas Wings rallied in the final game, spoiling Phoenix's perfect series with a decisive 101-72 win. Diggins led the charge for Dallas with 20 points, while Griner topped the scoring for Phoenix with 21 points. Bonner was close behind with 20 points, and Yvonne Turner provided a valuable spark off the bench with 10 points.
Despite the slight hiccup in the final game, the Mercury showcased remarkable resilience and talent throughout the series. Their strong performance was a clear indicator of their potential, especially considering they went on to defeat the Wings again in a single-elimination playoff game later that season, with a score of 101-83. This playoff victory paved the way for further success, as they then defeated the Connecticut Sun before ultimately falling to the Seattle Storm.
This 2018 season series between the Mercury and the Wings served as a compelling preview of the competitive spirit and high-level play that would define their matchups.
What do you think? Was the Mercury's near-sweep a sign of their true dominance, or did the Wings' comeback in the final game reveal a crucial vulnerability? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
