I went to the game and was also curious - don't have any more info than you do except she warmed up with the team before the game & before the 2nd half, etc. ??
Weird game roster-wise. No Wiese either, as
@nwhoopfan pointed out. And Beard started but only played 16 minutes with 0 points. Taurasi had said she would play today (which is why I went), but she didn't. Leilani Mitchell had a rare start for the Mercury, and played 37 minutes. She was great, way beyond her stats, which were great. She played super defense, usually on much bigger players, and IMO was the difference in the game.
Mercury played with energy, for a change. They have a lot of talent, but have seemed disinterested. Whatever the reason, today they played hard. DT was dressed in warmups, and stayed that way, but her nervous energy was amped up to a new level. She was in everyone's face all the time, out on the court in time-outs, jumping, shouting, dancing. I'm convinced she got the team jacked up...
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Very chippy and physical between Griner and both of the O-sisters. Chiney will be complaining about the refs (possibly with good reason). And Essence Carson roughed up Marina Mabrey at least 3 times that I saw - all on offense - including putting MM on the floor. No offensive fouls called, so Essence just kept doing it. They finally had to sub out Mabrey as she clearly couldn't guard Essence, especially with the refs swallowing their whistles. A joy to behold.
I think playing with an edge really helped the Mercury, and I think the edge was created by DT. I have no evidence to back this up, but I was sitting 2 rows behind the Mercury bench and I could feel it from there.
