Cooper & Griner Lead Phoenix Over D.C (7-16-24)

By: Jaden Golding

Headline Photo Credit: WNBA

Washington D.C.- This was the final game before the All-Star & Olympics break for both squads. Ultimately, Phoenix (13-12) returned with the victory 96-87 to stop its two-game losing streak. Washington (6-19) has lost four of its last five games heading into the break.

Brittney Griner scored 23 points on 9-17 shooting from the floor and grabbing 7 rebounds. Griner’s running mate Kahleah Copper poured in 22 points going 9-16 and securing 7 rebounds as well. 

The first two quarters were neck-and-neck with the Mystics only leading 46-44 entering the third quarter. 

Washington led 63-58 with 3:31 left in the third, but the Mercury went on a key 13-0 run to jump ahead by nine points at the end of the quarter. 

The Mystics trailed by 10 after an opening Natasha Cloud bucket but after a Stefanie Dolson three-pointer at the 7:45 mark, Washington was only behind 74-72. 

Phoenix responded immediately to gain its largest lead of the game jumping ahead by 12 points. The Mystics made things interesting, scoring the 9 of the next 11 points to trail by four with a little over two-and-a-half minutes left. 

Timely buckets from Sophie Cunningham, Griner, and Cooper halted any comeback for Washington, securing the victory for the Mercury.

Five of the following Washington players scored in double figures; Myisha Hines-Allen (18), Julie Vanloo (17), Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (15), Ariel Atkins (14), and Aaliyah Edwards (10). 

Forward Didi Richards was added to the mass injury list for Washington, due to a right knee issue.

Hopefully, the break is kind to Washington and they can get their players back from injury after some extended rest. Julie Vanloo (Belgium), Aaliyah Edwards (Canada), and Jade Melbourne (Australia) are all off to the Olympics to represent their respective countries. 

Good luck to them all!