Phoenix is led to victory by Kahleah Copper.
During an exciting WNBA game, Kahleah Copper and Brittney Griner led the Phoenix Mercury to a 104-96 win against the Dallas Wings. Copper was the top scorer with an impressive 34 points, while Griner contributed 24 points to Phoenix’s improved 10-10 season record.
Natasha Howard shined for Dallas by scoring a season-best 36 points. In spite of her attempts, Dallas’s record dropped to 4-16 with 14 losses in their last 15 games. Howard stated that they battled until the conclusion. I hope we could have secured the victory, but we are aware of the steps we need to take before facing Atlanta next time. Therefore, we will continue to maintain a positive attitude and support each other.
Phoenix took an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a nine-point advantage. In the beginning of the third quarter, Griner’s three-point play helped the Mercury increase their lead to 61-43. Dallas had their best quarter of the season, scoring 33 points in the third quarter and cutting the deficit to 99-96 with 1:54 remaining thanks to two free throws by Arike Ogunbowale.
Nevertheless, Phoenix stood strong, and Copper’s clutch three-pointer in the closing seconds secured the victory. Diana Taurasi scored 16 points, Rebecca Allen had 14, and Natasha Cloud recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. Ogunbowale was the top scorer for Dallas with 26 points, and Odyssey Sims also contributed 14 points.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been selected as All-Stars in the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, both rookies, have been selected to participate in the WNBA All-Star team, going up against the US Olympic team headed by A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. The All-Star picks were determined by a mix of votes from the media, players, fans, and the league’s 12 coaches. The much-awaited game is scheduled to happen in Phoenix on July 20.
never a doubt 💯
Caitlin Clark is a 2024 @WNBA All-Star. pic.twitter.com/8qKw67ucng
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 3, 2024
Clark of the Indiana Fever gathered a total of 700,735 votes, the most among all players. Her teammate Aliyah Boston came in second place with 72,000 votes less. Reese, who secured the fifth spot with 381,518 votes, will team up with Clark to represent the upcoming generation of WNBA talents.
DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones from Connecticut Sun, Allisha Gray from Atlanta Dream, Dearica Hamby from Los Angeles Sparks, Jonquel Jones from New York Liberty, Kayla McBride from Minnesota Lynx, Kelsey Mitchell from Indiana Fever, Nneka Ogwumike from Seattle Storm, and Arike Ogunbowale from Dallas Wings are also part of the All-Star roster.
At the upcoming Paris Games, the US Olympic team includes Phoenix’s Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, aiming for an eighth consecutive gold medal. This game is expected to provide a thrilling glimpse of the skills that will be showcased at the Olympics.
Examining Clark and Reese’s Seasons in More Detail
Clark, who averages 16 points and 7.1 assists per game, tops all WNBA rookies in these stats and is third in the league for assists. Her strong and reliable performances have set her apart in her first season. On the flip side, Reese achieved a league record by tallying 10 straight double-doubles. She is the top player in the WNBA for rebounds per game at 11.8 and is among the four players who are averaging a double-double this season.
The competition between Clark and Reese began during the 2023 college national championship game when Reese, representing LSU, taunted Clark, a player for Iowa Hawkeye, with a “you can’t see me” gesture and pointed to her ring finger. The intense rivalry persisted in the WNBA, with Clark leading with a 2-1 record over Reese in their professional matches. The last two games between them have been the most viewed WNBA games in more than 20 years.
Caitlin Clark
Anticipated outcomes of the All-Star Game
As Clark and Reese get ready to use the same locker room, the interactions between these previous college competitors who have now become successful professionals will be a key focus. Even with their past competition, both players are committed to their team’s overall achievement. Clark stressed the significance of recognizing the accomplishments of every All-Star: “I don’t want it to overshadow any of that and only be the main focus of All-Star weekend because that wouldn’t be fair to them.”
The incredible talents and competitive spirits of both Clark and Reese will be on display during the All-Star game. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how these two will work together and challenge each other, contributing to their already captivating story.