The 2018 Phoenix Mercury season was a thrilling ride, especially when it came to their battles against Eastern Conference teams. And boy, did they deliver!
While the Mercury faced some tough opponents, they emerged victorious in several key outings. One such series was against the Washington Mystics, where they unfortunately lost the season series. But here's where it gets interesting: they absolutely dominated the Indiana Fever, sweeping them in a series of intense games.
The Fever, a struggling team with a record of 6-28 that season, had some new additions to their roster. They brought in a high-scoring guard, Kelsey Mitchell, who made a splash as a rookie and earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Despite their struggles, the Fever put up a valiant fight against the Mercury.
Indiana's roster also featured a familiar face with Mercury ties: Candice Dupree, one of their veteran players. Additionally, they had Cappie Pondexter, who started the season with the Los Angeles Sparks but later joined the Fever. Dupree, the leading scorer for Indiana that season, and the talented rookie Mitchell, gave Phoenix a run for their money.
In the first two games hosted by the Fever, the Mercury showcased their dominance. They won both games by comfortable margins, with Diana Taurasi leading the way in the first game with 25 points. Phoenix's dynamic trio of Brittney Griner, DeWanna Bonner, and Taurasi put on a clinic, with Griner and Bonner contributing 20 and 15 points, respectively. The Fever had a balanced attack, with four players scoring in double digits, led by Mitchell's 19 points.
But the Mercury weren't done yet. They traveled to Indiana for the second leg of the series and picked up another blowout win. Griner had a monster game, recording 36 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. Taurasi and Bonner also had strong performances, with Taurasi finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Bonner contributed 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
With a 2-0 lead in the series, the Mercury returned home and completed the sweep. In the final game, Stephanie Talbot stepped up with a standout performance, scoring 14 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists. Taurasi and Bonner also had solid games, with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Griner rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points.
The Mercury controlled this series from start to finish, and in the end, they swept an Eastern Conference opponent. It was a testament to their skill, teamwork, and determination.
So, what do you think? Was the Mercury's dominance expected, or did they surprise you with their performance? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! We'd love to hear your take on this exciting series.
