Flagrant foul leads to one-game suspension for Taurasi
By Mike Peden
Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury has been issued a one-game suspension by the WNBA.
The ruling was announced on Sunday following an incident involving Taurasi in Friday’s game between Phoenix and the San Antonio Stars. At the 4:09 mark of the second quarter, Taurasi swiped her right forearm at San Antonio forward Dearica Hamby after the two made contact on a Hamby screen. Taurasi hit Hamby in the back of the head and was assessed a technical foul.
After a review from the league office, the infraction was ruled a level two flagrant foul. The technical foul was rescinded.
Taurasi’s suspension means she is unable to play on Tuesday, when Phoenix hosts New York. As a result, the Mercury will face an early test of adversity as they attempt to compensate for Taurasi’s absence.