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Mercury eliminated from playoff contention after loss to Shock
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DRIVING FOR TWO: Detroit’s Taj McWilliams-Franklin (44) drives past Phoenix’s Le’coe Willingham during the first half of the Shock’s 89-78 win Tuesday in Auburn Hills, Mich.
The Associated Press
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Deanna Nolan scored 18 points and Taj McWilliams-Franklin added 14 points and eight rebounds to help the Detroit Shock beat the Phoenix Mercury 89-78 on Tuesday night in a rematch of last year’s WNBA final.
The loss eliminated the defending champion Mercury from playoff contention with two games left in the regular season, while Detroit remained in contention for the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
No defending champ had ever missed the playoffs in WNBA history.
“It’s like anything — whatever you put into it, you get in return,” said Diana Taurasi who finished with 22 points. “Last year, we put a lot into it and got a lot in return. This year, as a group, we didn’t put enough into it.
“I feel bad, but we don’t deserve to make the playoffs.”
Katie Smith added 17 points for Detroit, which had six players score in double figures.
Cappie Pondexter led the Mercury with 23 points.
The Shock dominated early, but went cold in the second quarter, shooting just 27 percent in the period. That allowed Phoenix to narrow the gap to 41-40 at the half.
The Mercury led early in the third, but Detroit regained command with a 9-2 run late in the third. Yinka Sanni had five points in the run, which helped the Shock build a 65-61 lead at quarter’s end.
Detroit expanded the margin to 13 early in the fourth, but Phoenix tried to keep its season alive with a 10-0 run that pulled them within 79-76 with 4:15 to go.
McWilliams-Franklin stopped the surge with a pair of free throws, and Barb Farris was called for an offensive foul on Phoenix’s next possession, ending the Mercury run.
“We had a chance to win this game, but we got outrebounded, mainly in the fourth (quarter),” Mercury coach Corey Gaines said.
“They were in the bonus with three minutes gone past in the fourth. ... It really hurt us because they got in the bonus so fast and we couldn’t really up the defense.”
Tribune writer Matt Paulson contributed to this report.
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