Phoenix Mayor breaks nose at Merc practice

Don’t tell Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton that they don’t play tough basketball in the WNBA.

Stanton, who took over the office after winning the runoff election last November, was practicing Monday at US Airways Center with the Phoenix Mercury, and came away from the action with a broken nose.

Stanton went up for a rebound and caught an elbow from forward Nakia Sanford.

Maybe it was tough-nosed basketball? Maybe it’s the fact that the Mercury haven’t played in a month due to the Olympic layoff? Maybe it’s the fact that they’ve lost six straight games? Maybe Sanford has a problem with Stanton’s politics?

Whatever the reason, please, for your own health Mr. Mayor, wear the Rip Hamilton mask the next time you take the floor with the Merc.

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