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Takeaways: Mercury downed by Lynx in tense battle

By Brendon Kleen

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 21: Briann January #12 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx on July 21, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 21: Briann January #12 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx on July 21, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 05: Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun at Talking Stick Resort Arena on July 5, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 05: Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun at Talking Stick Resort Arena on July 5, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Fowles-Griner battle always delights: While it wasn’t the main stage show tonight, the competition between two of the league’s best bigs never disappoints. These are two of the toughest defenders you’ll find in the WNBA, but their methods could not be more different. Fowles is anticipatory and quick, Griner long and strong. They’re so familiar with one another, just watching each try and one-up the other is great theater.

“Both teams neutralized the bigs,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve explained postgame, which forced Moore and Augustus to outscore Taurasi and Bonner on the perimeter.

Consequences of silence: In the immediate aftermath of the Bonner-Brondello-Taurasi foul blow-up, my inclination was to believe the WNBA would respond in some way — clarify the correct call, apologize to Phoenix fans who were disrupted as a result of Taurasi’s reaction and the referees’ deliberation, something. But that doesn’t happen. The league owes its players, coaches and fans a response when things reach a boiling point. The WNBA can’t overhaul its pool of referees overnight, but it can broadcast oversight and take mistakes seriously.

After the game, Talbot likened Taurasi’s ejection to cattle dung. “Leading up to that, there were a whole group of events that sucked,” she said.

Robinson’s return: Danielle Robinson, the latest WNBA veteran to come through Phoenix and fall in love with its home crowd, played well in her return to Talking Stick Resort Arena. She controlled the flow of the game as it became ugly, scoring THIS MANY points and showing why she’s a better fit for Minnesota’s methodical style.

Next: USA Basketball announces schedule

Going forward: Phoenix will play Chicago on Wednesday at home in a matinee contest before the Taurasi, Griner, Bonner and the coaching staff depart to Minnesota for the All-Star game. Taurasi, tonight’s technicals counting for Nos. 6 and 7 on the season, will sit out against the Sky and pay a $800 dollar suspension.

Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen left Saturday’s game after also leaving Wednesday’s contest with a nose injury following an on-court collision. Her status has not been announced.

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