The Phoenix Mercury is occupying the final spot in the Western Conference for a playoff berth. With a 16-17 record and 1 win in the last five matches, they are not making things easy for themselves. The Mercury is trying to catch the No. 6 Indiana Fever (17-16), which continues its hot streak with four straight wins. Phoenix will play Atlanta next, and previously the Mercury were without Diana Taurasi and Natasha Cloud. But, one of the guards got off the hook and will feature in the next game.

USA Today’s journalist reported, “Per the WNBA, Natasha Cloud has been suspended for one game without pay after receiving her 7th technical foul of the season Sunday.” She signed a 2-year deal earlier this year after moving on from the Washington Mystics. The current assists and steals leader for the team is worth $200,000 per year and thus, would miss out on $5000 as her match fee. But, there is good news for her teammate Diana Taurasi.

“Upon league review, Diana Taurasi’s 7th technical foul was rescinded. Her total stays at 6.” Meghan L Hall reported via X. Taurasi and Cloud were on the same number of techs in the league. But after the announcement, the 32-year-old is at the top with 7.

After the game, during the press conference, the 3x WNBA champion spoke about not treading lightly toward officials, “I really don’t care about any of that. It’s every game the same way. That’s just life.” Diana Taurasi continued, “If it’s a game off, it’s a game off. Whatever.” The 6x Gold medalist at the Olympics picked up her technical in the third quarter.

Cloud tried surviving her luck after not receiving a call early in the first quarter. But, the constant yelling at the officials meant, at the halfway mark of the second quarter, there was no second chance for her. However, the coach had already planned out his move ahead of the next game.

Head coach already had plans for Mercury less Diana Taurasi

During the same press conference, coach Nate Tibbetts stated that the backup rookie point guard would get extra game time. Even in the loss to the Aces, Celeste Taylor came from the bench for a 22-minute cameo and scored 6 points, 3 assists, and 50% FG shooting. Besides her, the head coach also hinted at giving more time to Kahleah Copper and Sophie Cunningham.

“We battled injuries earlier in the year, and we had different people step up,” Tibbetts said. “Obviously Celeste is gonna get a lot of minutes. Kah will probably have to play some point. Sophie has done it at times. So, those are three that come to mind,” the 47-year-old added. Cooper is currently leading the team in terms of points (22.1), which is also third highest in the league.

But, Cooper also received her sixth technical, during the Aces’ dominating victory. She still continued her scoring spree with 15 points and six assists. Apart from the now rescinded technical, Diana Taurasi did endure a difficult night with just 9 points and 0 from 5 3-PT.