PHOENIX MERCURY

Mercury without Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi vs. Dream

Sep 8, 2021, 9:54 AM | Updated: 3:08 pm

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of the WNBA game at the Footprint ...

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of the WNBA game at the Footprint Center on August 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Center Brittney Griner is not with the Phoenix Mercury (personal reasons), and guard Diana Taurasi was doubtful (ankle) before being ruled out for a Wednesday road game against the Atlanta Dream, the team’s official injury report said.

Additionally, reserve Alanna Smith remains out due to health and safety protocols. She missed a win against the Indiana Fever on Monday night in which Griner scored 21 points to go with 10 rebounds. Taurasi finished that game with 11 points, six assists and a team-best +19 plus-minus.

The Mercury (18-10) play the Dream at the Gateway Center on Wednesday riding a nine-game winning streak since the WNBA regular season commenced coming out of the Olympic break. Phoenix last lost on July 11.

A playoff spot is guaranteed.

Phoenix sits in the No. 5 slot with four games left and is a half-game out of the No. 4 seed, which is currently occupied by the Minnesota Lynx (18-9).

Moving into the No. 4 seed would earn the Mercury a bye in the first-round of the playoffs.

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