Why Diana Taurasi's Scoring Helped Mercury Win In 2014

The Phoenix Mercury had a historically dominant season in 2014, finishing with a 29-5 record and a 16-game winning streak en route to winning their third WNBA championship.

A key factor in their success was star guard Diana Taurasi, one of the league's best scorers. In a notable game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Taurasi scored 32 points and contributed six assists, two rebounds, a steal, and a block.

The Mercury displayed exceptional teamwork with four other players scoring in double figures: Penny Taylor (17 points, six assists, three rebounds, three steals), Brittney Griner (15 points, four rebounds, four blocks, one assist), Candice Dupree (15 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals), and DeWanna Bonner (11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks). This collective effort secured a 94-89 victory, their seventh consecutive win.

Despite the team's overall dominance reducing her scoring load—Taurasi averaged 16.2 points in the regular season—she elevated her performance in the playoffs, averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. The Mercury cruised through the postseason and swept the Chicago Sky in the finals to claim the title.