WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Diana Taurasi Named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week

Published on July 26, 2010 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


Phoenix- Mercury guard Diana Taurasi was named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week presented by Kia Motors for games played Monday, July 19 through Sunday, July 25, the league announced today.

Taurasi earns the 12th Player of the Week award of her career, fourth most of any player in WNBA history, and second of 2010 after averaging 28.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds in two road wins last week. The Mercury extended its winning streak to a season-best three games and took a two-game lead on San Antonio for second place in the Western Conference.

Leading the league in scoring at 23.8 points per game, Taurasi scored 26 on 8-of-13 shooting at Tulsa on Thursday, a game in which the Mercury set a WNBA record with 123 points. The club topped that performance two days later with 127 points in a double overtime win over Minnesota.

In the crucial Western Conference road game, Taurasi scored 11 of her 31 points in the second overtime leading the Mercury to a 127-124 win. Trailing the Lynx 97-93, Taurasi hit a 16' jump shot with 21.5 seconds to go in regulation to pull the Mercury within two. Following a pair of Minnesota free throws, she responded with a three-point field goal to cut the deficit to 99-98. Another Lynx free throw put Phoenix down two but on the Mercury's final possession, Taurasi assisted forward DeWanna Bonner on a baseline jumper sending the game into overtime.

The 30-point performance was her seventh this season, 30th of her career, and her 42nd consecutive game in double figures, which is the longest active streak in the WNBA. She was also a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line matching the WNBA record for most free throws made in a single game without a miss.

Looking for their fourth straight win, Taurasi will lead the Mercury into Seattle tomorrow night to take on the league-leading Storm at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

Following the game the team will return home for a rematch with Minnesota on Thursday at 7 p.m. at US Airways Center. Lower-level tickets for the event are available for as little as $10 and can be purchased by calling 602-252-WNBA or visiting phoenixmercury.com.

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