Monique Billings' debut with the Phoenix Mercury was nothing short of impressive, considering she had less than 24 hours to get acquainted with her new team. But if you watched her performance on Sunday against the Chicago Sky, you wouldn’t have guessed she was a newcomer. Billings seamlessly blended in with her teammates, contributing 13 points and seven rebounds in the Mercury's commanding 86-68 victory. This win was critical for the Mercury, who are now sitting at 15-13 and have little room for error as they push toward the playoffs after the Olympic break.
The signing of Billings on a seven-day contract came at a crucial time for the Mercury. The team, which predominantly features small forwards, had a gap that needed filling, especially with the departure of guard Celeste Taylor after her own seven-day contract expired. The Mercury found themselves in need of one more player to round out their 11-player roster. Billings, who was released from the Dallas Wings on August 14, had multiple offers on the table but ultimately chose the Mercury. “I feel like being wanted and needed was big for me, and that was the energy I felt here,” Billings said. “They did a really great job of recruiting me, and I wanted to go where I felt wanted and needed and where I could make an impact. I think I made the right choice.”
Billings' Impact on the Court
And what an impact she made. Not only did she help space the floor effectively, but she also showed her versatility by nailing a corner three-pointer, extending the Mercury's lead to 74-55 with just over eight minutes left in the game. Her presence on the court was felt immediately, and she didn’t miss a beat in fitting into the Mercury’s game plan.
The Mercury's ball movement was a thing of beauty, with 21 assists on the night. Despite the addition of a new player, the team maintained strong chemistry, evident in the fact that eight of the nine active players scored. One of the game’s standout moments came in the fourth quarter when Kahleah Copper made a spectacular save to keep the ball from going out of bounds. She quickly passed it to Natasha Cloud, who found Diana Taurasi. Taurasi then dished it to an open Sophie Cunningham, who drained a three-pointer. “Our assists were really good tonight,” Cunningham noted. “The first game we played against Chicago, we had 26 assists, and any team that’s sharing the ball like that, it’s going to be really hard to beat. I really do think it is day by day, but the second half of the season, we’re going to make a strong push and let people do what they do.”
Taurasi's Leadership and Griner's Dominance
Diana Taurasi, as always, was the driving force behind the Mercury’s success. In their first home game since July 10, she led all scorers with 23 points on 6-of-13 shooting. The Footprint Center was electric, with fans giving the team a loud ovation as they returned home. Taurasi didn’t disappoint, showcasing why she’s still one of the league’s premier players. Her leadership on the court was crucial in keeping the team focused and motivated, especially after the Mercury had already defeated the Sky by 20 points in Chicago just a few days earlier.
The Mercury faced a bit of a challenge when the Sky went on a 12-2 run to start the third quarter, but that’s when Brittney Griner stepped up. Griner, who has been a consistent force for the Mercury, responded with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, helping her team finish the quarter with a 69-50 lead. Her dominance in the paint was a key factor in the Mercury maintaining their lead and eventually securing the victory.
The game started strong for the Mercury, who took a commanding 52-35 lead into halftime. Both teams were evenly matched on the boards in the first quarter, each grabbing 10 rebounds, but the Mercury had the edge in shooting, hitting 56.3% of their shots (9-for-16) compared to the Sky’s 34.8% (8-for-23). The Sky also struggled at the free-throw line, missing three of their six attempts. Despite these struggles, the Sky had a better start to Sunday’s game, thanks in part to the return of Chennedy Carter, who had missed Thursday’s game due to a non-COVID illness.
The Sky's Fight and Carter's Resilience
Carter made her presence felt immediately, assisting on the first two layups of the game by Kamilla Cardoso and adding a pull-up jumper to keep the Sky close early on. Although she was limited in minutes during the first quarter, Carter returned in the second quarter and finished the half with seven points and four assists. She continued to be a thorn in the Mercury's side in the second half, finishing the game with 16 points. Her resilience and ability to bounce back after missing a game were commendable, and she was a key factor in the Sky’s efforts to keep the game competitive.
On the other side, Angel Reese was a force to be reckoned with. She grabbed 10 rebounds in the first half alone and finished the game with 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting and an incredible 20 rebounds. Reese’s performance was a reminder of her ability to dominate on both ends of the floor, and she was instrumental in keeping the Sky within striking distance, even as the Mercury continued to pull away.
Looking Ahead: A Critical Road Series
With this win, the Mercury improved to 15-13 and are now focused on their upcoming two-game road series against the Atlanta Dream, which begins on Wednesday. The team knows that every game counts as they push toward securing a playoff spot, especially after the Olympic break. The addition of Billings has given the Mercury a much-needed boost, and if Sunday’s game is any indication, she could be a key contributor in the team’s success down the stretch.
The chemistry between the players is evident, and the strong ball movement and teamwork on display against the Sky bode well for the Mercury's chances. As the season progresses, the Mercury will need to continue to build on this momentum, and with veteran leadership from players like Taurasi and Griner, they are well-positioned to do just that.
Final Thoughts
The Mercury’s victory over the Sky was not just another win; it was a statement. With Billings seamlessly fitting into the lineup, Taurasi leading the charge, and Griner dominating the paint, the Mercury showed that they are a force to be reckoned with as they march toward the playoffs. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if they continue to play with the same level of intensity and teamwork, they have every chance of making a deep postseason run.
As the Mercury prepare to take on the Atlanta Dream, all eyes will be on how they continue to integrate Billings and maintain their strong form. The team's ability to share the ball and get contributions from multiple players will be crucial, especially in the high-stakes games that lie ahead. For now, though, the Mercury can savor a well-earned victory and look forward to the challenges that await.
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