Le'coe Willingham News

For WNBA fans in this desert city, it wasn't just about going to the league Finals.

Run and gun, defense be damned. This is Mercury basketball. Or so it seemed. In Saturday night's victory over the Los Angeles Sparks that clinched a berth in the WNBA Finals, it wasn't quite "seven seconds or less," the phrase associated with the Suns' up-tempo style under former coach Mike D'Antoni. It was about defense and a patient offense.

Sue Bird has agreed to a multiyear contract extension to stay with the Seattle Storm, keeping the All-Star guard with the only WNBA team she's played for.

Cappie Pondexter scored 29 points and led the Phoenix Mercury to a 95-80 rout of the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night.

Candice Dupree scored 20 of her 23 points in the first half to lead the Chicago Sky to an 84-72 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night.

Cappie Pondexter scored 29 points and led the Phoenix Mercury to a 95-80 rout of the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night.

Published: Monday, July 27, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, July 27, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. The Phoenix Mercury got off to an impressive start on their five-game road trip thanks to the return of Diana Taurasi, whose own trip East started with a homecoming of sorts.

Shameka Christon spent Sunday afternoon talking to herself up and down the Madison Square Garden court, trying to will her way past her fatigue and make a difference for the Liberty, which was in desperate need of her help.