Aussies in WNBA: Phoenix rookie Talbot has her breakout game
This week in the WNBA saw Steph Talbot have her breakout game with the Phoenix Mercury, while Leilani Mitchell continues her incredible form.
As the WNBA season starts to heat up, we check in to see how the Aussie women are performing.
The New York Liberty weren’t able to secure a win over the dominant Minnesota Lynx, suffering a 90-71 point loss. It was a prominent effort from one of the league’s best ballers, Maya Moore who notched up 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in a huge performance. Aussie Rebecca Allen got her first taste of the action for this season, contributing 3 points and 2 rebounds in her time.
The Phoenix Mercury secured a close one over the San Antonio Stars at 78-74, with Leilani Mitchell continuing her dominant form. The point guard banked 14 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists in her time on the court, while fellow Australians Steph Talbot (4 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals) and Cayla George (6 points and 4 rebounds) were able to have a positive impact on the game.
https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/865735971769274369
It was Allen’s Liberty who triumphed over her fellow countrywomen at Phoenix when the two battled it out. It remained close throughout the match, but New York took home the 2-point win. Allen provided 3 points and 3 rebounds in her 10 minutes, while Talbot had her breakout game for the Mercury with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Talbot has been featuring in the starting 5 for the season so far, which is a great testament to the rookie's ability and her development. Mitchell was again reliable with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and George was also good with 6 points and 5 rebounds.
Seattle continued their good form this season with a nice win over the Washington Mystics at 81-71. Naturalised Australian Sami Whitcomb wasn’t able to make an impact with limited court time, but her teammate Jewell Loyd (26 points and 5 rebounds) continued her MVP-worthy form while veteran point guard Sue Bird proved she is still one of the best in the business with 9 points and 10 assists.
In other news, the Dallas Wings announced Australian champion Erin Phillips will be joining the organisation at the team’s Director of Player and Franchise Development, starting her role this week.
“I am very excited to continue to be a part of the Dallas Wings family,” Phillips told the WNBA. “I am very grateful for the chance to get to work and learn from three great coaches in Fred Williams, Bridget Pettis and Taj McWilliams-Franklin. I would like to thank the Dallas Wings Organisation for this amazing opportunity.”
Her role will include on-court player development, game planning, scouting and draft preparation, alongside off-court development initiatives.
New coaching team member for the Phoenix Mercury, Penny Taylor celebrated her 36th birthday this week. Check out this montage that sums up why she is one of the greats:
https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/867462718764179457
In her new addition of Cayla’s Corner, Cayla George asks all the tough questions of the new Head Coach of the Australian Opals, Sandy Brondello.
https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/867162656603385856
