The Guru’s WNBA Roundup: Phoenix Wins Fifth Straight Shooting Franchise Record 17 Threes in Romp Over Chicago While Minnesota Dominates 4th Quarter to Down Los Angeles

By Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru

Phoenix (11-4) lit up the Chicago Sky (3-9) for a franchise record 17 three-pointers Saturday afternoon within two of the WNBA record 19 reached twice this season by the defending champion New York and cruised to the Mercury’s fifth straight victory 107-86 at Wintrust Arena before a Windy City crowd of 7,291while in the other game of the day Minnesota (12-1) beat visiting Los Angeles 82-66 despite the absence of Napheesa Collier sidelined with a back injury.

Sami Whitcomb hit from deep and scored a regular basket to collect 17 points while Rutgers grad Kahleah Copper out of North Philly scored 16 points.

Six different Mercury players scored at least two 3-pointers to tie the single game record in the WNBA.

Satou Sabally had 15 points for Phoenix, Alyssa Thomas had 11 points and eight assists, while Kalani Brown and Kitija Laksa each scored 11 points.

Chicago’s second year pro Angel Reese had nine points and a career low two rebounds while the Sky were led by Kamilla Cardoso and Michaela Onyenwere each with 17 points.

The Mercury are now off until Friday when New York visits while Chicago continues a back-to-back Sunday at Atlanta.

In Minneapolis, a crowd of 8,777 saw the Lynx break away from the Aces (4-10) 25-12 in the fourth quarter when Kayla McBride scored 15 of her 29 points while Courtney Williams scored 18 points in the game. McBride made 9-13 from the field, of which  included 5-7 from deep.

Maria Kliundilkova added 12 points, eight boards, three steals and a pair of blocks.

Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum scored 15 points, 11 in the first half, while Dearica Hamby scored 13 with four steals and Azura Stevens had 11 points and nine rebounds.

The Sparks have lost 16 of their last 18 meetings with the Lynx who are at Washington Tuesday while Los Angeles visits Chicago.

In Sunday games, Las Vegas has moved to the T-Mobile Arena to host Indiana and Caitlin Clark at 3 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+, the Atlanta game is at the same time on ESPN3, which also at 3 p.m. will air Dallas at Washington, while at night Seattle hosts New York at 7 p.m. and Golden State hostsConnecticut both on the WNBA streaming League Pass.