Diana Taurasi, Mercury down Chicago Sky in first game back at Footprint Center.

In the first home game since July 10, the Phoenix Mercury were welcomed back on Sunday to Footprint Center with a loud ovation. In return, the Mercury routed the Chicago Sky 86-68. Diana Taurasi led all scorers with 23 points on 6-of-13 shooting.

Phoenix defeated the Sky Thursday by 20 points in Chicago.

Fresh from signing a seven-day contract on the day of the game, Mercury forward Monique Billings posted a strong debut with 13 points and seven rebounds.

The Mercury survived a 12-2 run by the Sky that started the third quarter, but that was vanquished when Brittney Griner posted eight points on 3-of-4 shooting. Griner helped the Mercury finish the quarter with a 69-50 lead.

Even with a new player on the floor, the Mercury showed strong ball movement and eight of the nine active players scored. During the fourth quarter, Kahleah Copper saved the ball from going out of bounds and threw a long pass to Natasha Cloud who found Taurasi and then to an open Sophie Cunningham for a 3-pointer.

The Mercury started strongly, taking a 52-35 lead at halftime. Both teams rebounded at the same level in the first quarter, with 10 boards each, but the Mercury edged the Sky in shooting, at 56.3% (9-for-16) from the floor. The Sky shot 34.8% (8-for-23) and missed three of their six free-throw attempts.

The Sky had a better start Sunday, with Chennedy Carter back on the floor after missing Thursday’s game for a non-COVID illness.

Carter assisted on the first two layups of the game from Kamilla Cardoso and added a pull-up jumper to stay close in the beginning. Even with limited minutes in the first quarter, Carter returned in the second quarter and finished with seven points and four assists in the first half. Carter once again was a problem for the Mercury in the second half and finished with 16 points.

Angel Reese posted 10 rebounds in the first half and recorded 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting and 20 rebounds.

The Mercury (15-13) will travel to Atlanta on Wednesday to start a two-game road series against the Dream.

Angel Reese Hyped as ‘Double-Double Machine’ By Fans Despite Sky Loss to Mercury

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Another game, another double-double for Angel Reese.

It took less than three quarters for the Chicago Sky rookie forward to do what she does best, and she finished with 19 points and 20 rebounds as the team suffered an 86-68 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday night. It’s Reese’s third straight double-double following the Olympic break and her first career 20-rebound game.

Reese struggled to find her touch at the start of the game, but she was able to increase her efficiency in the second half. She shot 8-of-16 from the field, her first time shooting 50 percent or better since July 7 against the Seattle Storm. She finished the game with a plus-minus of -20.

Fans on social media praised Reese for conducting business as usual by recording another double-double in Sunday’s contest:

Reese has proven to be a consistent source of points and rebounds, but she still has some areas to improve. Her efficiency needs to be better for the amount of volume she gets on offense.

Still, Reese gives the Sky a foundational piece to build around as the team continues to chase its first WNBA title since 2021.