Article Author:
Reuters
The Phoenix Mercury must retain their WNBA playoff qualification without Diana Taurasi.
The Minnesota Lynx visited Mercury on Wednesday night, hoping the arrival of Nafeesa her Collier will be the boost needed to move closer to the playoff standings. Mercury (14-19) said Monday that Taurasi, an 18-year veteran who averaged 16.7 points per game, was forced to sit out the rest of his season as a regular with a strained right quadriceps muscle. announced that he would be absent.
Diamond, who is averaging 13 points per game this season, her DeShields could be a starting lineup for Taurasi.
"We know her race to the playoffs is coming," she said DeShields. “So we keep coming out and competing. Phoenix lines up with Atlanta in his last two slots. The Lynx (13-20) trails Mercury and Dream by one game, but is tied for third place with Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty.
Mercury will be a regular at home in all her final three games of the season, heading into the playoffs against the Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky after a meeting with the Lynx.
Phoenix head coach Vanessa Nygaard said, "We have this playoff picture, but there are so many variables. 'There are still games left to play.'" Collier, who has averaged 16.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the season, made his season debut on Sunday in Minnesota's 81-71 win over Atlanta, less than three months after giving birth to daughter Mila. I did it.
"Obviously we're nervous, especially in the second half of the season," Collier said. "But when my name was called and the fans cheered me on, it was great. It felt great. So I'm really happy to be playing tonight." 39} She had 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block in 21 minutes.
"Every time she plays, she's going to get more comfortable," said Lynx head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve. "She has to keep up with the speed of the game." But it's probably as successful as I thought [her debut] was."
Lynx hosted the Seattle Storm on Friday before visiting the Connecticut Sun on Sunday to kick off the regular season. Closing.
– Field Level Media
