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Just when things seemed to be looking up for the Phoenix Mercury in the 2022 WNBA playoff race, a curveball was thrown their way Monday: Diana Taurasi will miss the remainder of the regular season, which wraps up Sunday, with a quad strain. The WNBA’s all-time leading scorer might be available if Phoenix advances to the postseason, but the Mercury won’t update her status until then.
The news was the latest blow to a franchise that has been without Brittney Griner all season, dealt with the midseason departure of 2012 league MVP Tina Charles and suffered a slew of other injuries and illnesses that have made lineup consistency difficult to come by.
Now, a squad that was expected by some to be a superteam this season will be without their longtime cornerstone and one of the greatest to ever play the game for the near future, the potential salve of a postseason berth despite their roller-coaster season in jeopardy.
But Taurasi isn’t the only star who’ll miss meaningful time: The Dallas Wings — who clinched a playoff berth Monday — announced on Tuesday that Arike Ogunbowale will miss the remainder of the regular season and the Wings’ first-round matchup with an abdominal injury.
Taurasi’s injury will have a ripple effect on the overall playoff race as the regular season winds down — the Mercury are one of five teams still competing for the final two playoff spots with five days to go — while Ogunbowale’s absence could impact the Wings’ ceiling once they reach the postseason.
Three-time WNBA champion Phoenix, which reached the Finals last season, is looking to maintain its place as one of the most successful WNBA franchises. Even though a title seems out of reach in 2022, the…
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Source : espn
