Efficient Output! Cooper & Griner Combine for Points, Rebounds, and Assists

On August 16, in a regular-season WNBA game, the Mercury defeated the Sky 85-65 as visitors, securing their second consecutive victory.

In this game, led by Cooper and Griner, the Mercury took the initiative almost throughout the entire match, maintaining dominance over the Sky. Although the Sky showed some resistance in the third quarter, it was not enough to change the outcome, with the final score difference being 20 points. In the first half, no player from the Sky scored in double digits, while Cooper hit three three-pointers in the first quarter for a total of 18 points, and Griner added 12 points, combining for 30 points.

For the full game, Cooper played 35 minutes as a starter, shooting 12 for 19, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc and 2 for 4 from the free-throw line, scoring a game-high 29 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, with 1 turnover and 3 fouls, and a plus-minus of +18. Griner, also starting, played 32 minutes, shooting an efficient 10 for 12, including 1 for 1 from three-point range and 2 for 3 from the free-throw line, scoring 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, along with 2 steals, 5 blocks, 1 turnover, and 1 foul, achieving a game-high plus-minus of +19.

Worth noting is that in the previous game, both players also scored over 20 points, with Cooper scoring 22 points and 7 rebounds, and Griner adding 23 points and 7 rebounds. Meanwhile, Claudio had a near-triple-double in the last game with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists, but today she struggled, hitting only 1 of 7 shots for just 3 points.

The Mercury, thanks to the efficient output from Cooper and Griner, ultimately secured their victory on the road against the Sky, extending their winning streak.