Diana Taurasi Returns and Sets New WNBA Record

June 28, 2021
The GIST: It was a jam-packed weekend of basketball, but let’s start with the good stuff from the WNBA: Diana Taurasi is back.
Sports NewsBasketball
Diana Taurasi Returns and Sets New WNBA Record
Source: Michael Chow/azcentral.com

WNBA: That's right, the GOAT returned to the court after recovering from a sternum fracture (ouch) to help her Phoenix Mercury defeat the LA Sparks 88–79 last night. And in classic Taurasi fashion, she set a new record in her return by becoming the first W player to reach 9,000 points.

  • Meanwhile, in a rematch of last year’s W championship finals (and potential preview for this year’s) the Las Vegas Aces beat the reigning champ Seattle Storm in overtime, but the Storm still remain atop the Commissioner’s Cup leaderboard.

NBA: The Milwaukee Bucks took a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals last night with a 113–102 win over the Atlanta Hawks, largely thanks to an unreal fourth quarter performance from Khris Middleton, who put up 38 points. The Western Conference Finals could end today if the Phoenix Suns beat the LA Clippers in tonight’s Game 5 at 9 p.m. ET. A quickie.

  • In front office news, two head coaching positions have been filled: the Dallas Mavericks hired Jason Kidd — who has a history of domestic abuse charges and a DWI — and the Portland Trail Blazers hired alleged sexual assaulter Chauncey Billups.
  • Meanwhile, candidates without assault allegations against them, such asBecky Hammon and Dawn Staley, remain available. We feel unseen.