Aussies in WNBA: Taylor's Mercury flips the switch in playoffs
The 2016 WNBA playoffs are well and truly under way, with Penny Taylor's Phoenix Mercury advancing to the second round as they seek out redemption.
Taylor was brilliant and all class in an important win over the Indiana Fever, delivering 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in a complete performance.
In a close contest, the Mercury managed to overcome home-team Indian 89-78, with stars Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner all firing from the field. Unfortunately for the Fever, the loss meant it was the last game for universally loved veteran Tamika Catchings, a tough finish to an incredible career. It was a solid effort by Catchings who contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals.
https://twitter.com/IndianaFever/status/778751837763756033
Phoenix will now move on to play New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden in a do or die game on Saturday.
The Mercury against the Liberty will see Taylor face her Australian compatriot Rebecca Allen. The last time these two teams played each other at the beginning of September, the Liberty were victorious by 22 points. Taylor was fairly instrumental with 11 points and 5 rebounds in the loss, while Allen added 5 points and 3 rebounds.
With the remaining playoff contention on the line, we bet this will be a much tighter contest.
In the other do or die playoff match, the Atlanta Dream were able to fight back from an early deficit to beat the Seattle Storm by 9 points. Angel McCoughtry was huge with 37 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists, bringing the Dream back into the contest.
https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/778773859570950144
Australian Storm players Abby Bishop and Jenna O'Hea did not see any court time in the match, with only 7 players hitting the court for the Storm.
The Dream will face Chicago Sky on Sunday for another do or die match, also set to be another cracking game.
The winner of the two upcoming matches will face the Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks respectively for a best of 5 Semifinal, with the winners progressing to Championship contention.