PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi scored 12 of her 23 points in Phoenix's highest-scoring first quarter of the season, Sophie Cunningham added 13 points and a career-best 10 rebounds — her first double-double in the WNBA — and the Mercury led for nearly 38 minutes Sunday night in their 86-68 win over the Chicago Sky.
Brittney Griner added 18 points. Monique Billings, who signed a seven-day contract with Phoenix (15-13) earlier in the day, made 5 of 7 from the field and finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes.
Taurasi, on the fastbreak, hit a pull-up 3-pointer from behind the hash mark to make it 7-4 and the Mercury led the rest of the way. The six-time Olympic gold medalist hit three free throws to spark an 11-3 run that pushed the margin to 22-11 when Griner made a short jumper 6 minutes into the game. Taurasi hit a jumper to close the first quarter and make it 32-19.
Angel Reese scored 19 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds for Chicago (11-16). The No. 7 draft pick has grabbed double-digit rebounds in 20 consecutive games. After just 27 games, she is the fastest in league history to record 20 double-doubles, including each of the last four games. She also had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the WNBA All-Star Game.
Chennedy Carter added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Sky. Kamilla Cardoso and Isabelle Harrison scored 12 points apiece.
Chicago shot 35.9% (28 of 78) from the field, went 0 for 14 from 3-point range and made just 12 of 21 from the free-throw line.
Phoenix won the first two games of the season series with the Sky — one game remains next month. Kahleah Copper scored 29 points as the Mercury beat Chicago 85-65 on Thursday, when the regular season resumed after a monthlong pause for the Paris Olympics. Phoenix lost to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Friday, while Chicago bounced back with a 90-86 win Saturday over the Los Angeles Sparks.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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