Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi returned to action Sunday vs. Dallas after missing three games with a back injury suffered Aug. 8.
She finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists. But Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale stole the show with 33 points in Dallas' 95-89 victory.
Taurasi was injured in the fourth quarter of a loss to Seattle in Bradenton, Florida, just over a week ago. She was driving to the basket and pulled up grimacing, then left the court. The Mercury went 2-1 without her but dropped to 6-5 this season with the loss in her return game.
"It's just good to see Diana back out there," Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello said. "I thought Diana was good. We hopefully can continue to build her up."
Taurasi did not address the media via Zoom after the game. Brondello said she went in planning to play Taurasi about 25 minutes; she played 27.5.
Phoenix's Brittney Griner had 29 points and Skylar Diggins-Smith 20 to join Taurasi in double figures for Phoenix. But on defense, the Mercury just couldn't slow down Ogunbowale and the Wings (4-7) who also got 20 points from Allisha Gray, 17 from Marina Mabrey and 11 from Katie Lou Samuelson.
Taurasi, who turned 38 in June, is playing in her 16th WNBA season. She was limited to just six games last year dealing with back and hamstring issues. She was also limited in playing time with the U.S. national team over the winter, but said coming into this WNBA season that she felt good.
