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PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi started Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game with a three-pointer after receiving a loud ovation from the home crowd at Footprint Center.
In a competitive game between Team USA and the WNBA All-Stars, the first play was designed for Taurasi to get an open look from deep. Team USA took advantage of this opportunity for practice before their games in Paris, executing the play with Taurasi navigating screens to get open.
First set of the game, Elevator for Diana Taurasi. pic.twitter.com/rgAz7JPOly
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) July 21, 2024
Taurasi later made an and-1 floater over Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Towards the end of the first half, Clark attempted a deep three-pointer before the buzzer, which was put back in by Brionna Jones. Team USA was ahead 54-52 at halftime, but the WNBA All-Stars ultimately won 117-109.
COUNT IT.
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/nScnnYP15D
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 21, 2024
Taurasi ended the first half with eight points, four assists, and two rebounds. She finished the game with 14 points and six assists.
“Personally, I know the end is way closer to the beginning, so I just try to enjoy every single moment in the locker room, at practice, on the bus and tonight’s going to be no different,” Taurasi said before the game.
How did the Mercury play at the All-Star Game?
Mercury center Brittney Griner dominated the game for a stretch in the first half, scoring three baskets in the final five minutes of the first quarter using her size and post moves that will be valuable during the Olympics.
7’4 wingspan… whose stopping that? 😟
Brittney Griner splashes in the turn around J to put the #USABWNT up by 5 early in the 1Q on ABC pic.twitter.com/385Nuxv7D1
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 21, 2024
“Just feel like myself,” Griner said pregame. “I’m just happy, taking it in and locked in on bringing home gold.”
Griner finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in the game.
Kahleah Copper, another member of Team USA from the Mercury, made two baskets in the first half, including a pull-up jumper off a screen. She ended the game with seven points.
KAH doing KAH things 🤷♀️#WNBAAllStar Game | ABC pic.twitter.com/b1YoP5k26f
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 21, 2024
Griner and Copper came off the bench for head coach Cheryl Reeve’s team, while Taurasi was in the starting lineup.
Team USA started with Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, and Breanna Stewart.
Follow @alexjweiner
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