On Sunday night, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury picked up their second win in post-Olympic break play against Chennedy Carter and the Chicago Sky, 86-68.

With 7:55 left in the third quarter and Phoenix up by 15, things got a little chippy when Carter took not one but two elbows to the face at the same time as she tried to fight through a screen. One came from the 6-foot-9 Griner, and the other came from Taurasi.

Carter appeared to get sandwiched by the elbows, causing her to drop to the floor in some pain. The play was reviewed for a technical foul on Griner, but it was called just a common foul in the end, as it was not deemed intentional.

Carter finished the game with 16 points on 7-of-18 shooting, six rebounds and six assists. She was inserted into the starting lineup after coming off the bench on Saturday against the Sparks, replacing Rachel Banham.

Griner tallied 18 points on 50% shooting and five rebounds in the win, while Taurasi notched a game-high 23 points and five assists. Taurasi also received a flagrant 1 foul early in the game.


Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter (7) reacts during the first quarter against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports© Provided by Athlon Sports

The Mercury are now 15-13 in the 2024 WNBA season and are in a good position to secure a playoff spot. The Sky fall to 11-16 but still control their own destiny for a spot in the postseason.