The Phoenix Mercury start their post-Diana Taurasi period on Tuesday once they face the Las Vegas Aces in Sin Metropolis. For the primary time since 2004, the Mercury will open their preparation with out the WNBA legend. With out the three-time champ, newly acquired stars Alyss Thomas and Satou Sabally will lead Phoenix.
In the meantime, the Aces will attempt to bag their second preseason win once they play in entrance of their dwelling followers. A’ja Wilson and Co. whipped the Dallas Wings 112-78 at Purcell Pavilion in Notre Dame on Friday. After failing of their three-peat bid final yr, the Aces look able to problem for the championship once more.
Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces: Preview
As soon as Diana Taurasi known as it a profession, the Phoenix Mercury needed to retool the roster. Brittney Griner’s resolution to go away the franchise after 11 years sped up the revamp.
As an alternative of Taurasi and Griner main the workforce, Kahleah Copper and newly acquired stars Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kalani Brown will take over. Coach Nate Tibbetts should have chemistry on high his precedence checklist heading into the brand new season.
Apart from Griner and Taurasi, Sophie Cunningham and Natasha Cloud are gone as nicely. Tibbetts has to include veteran guards Sevgi Uzun and Sami Whitcomb right into a workforce trying to have one other playoff run.
In the meantime, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon confirmed off her workforce’s chemistry by drubbing the Dallas Wings of their first preseason recreation. With veterans A’ja Wilson, Kiah Stokes, Jackie Younger and Chelsea Grey on the roster, the two-time champs performed like a well-oiled machine.
Jewell Loyd, acquired within the offseason for Kelsey Plum, looks as if a seamless match. Hammon might give her rookies and coaching camp invitees a bump in minutes after seeing her core blast the Arike Ogunbowale-led workforce on Friday.
Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces: Prediction
Nate Tibbetts known as Alyssa Thomas a “basketball wizard” and confirmed similarities in her recreation to Diana Taurasi. The Phoenix Mercury coach will lean closely on the previous Connecticut Solar famous person to fast-track the workforce’s chemistry whatever the outcome.
The Las Vegas Aces will seemingly romp away with a win following their spectacular displaying of their preseason opener. Las Vegas might stutter if Becky Hammon desires to offer the non-regulars a future. If Hammon leans extra on her rookies and second-stringers, Thomas might drag her workforce to an upset win.
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Edited by Michael Macasero