Napheesa Collier to make 2022 debut after birth of daughter
Collier will return to the court with the Lynx for the first time since May.
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Thursday night saw the Phoenix Mercury playing their first playoff game at Grand Canyon University after Footprint Arena booted them for a Maluma concert.
Despite the change in location, fans still turned out in support, with the Mercury drawing close to a sellout in their 83-82 defeat of the New York Liberty. The arena’s capacity sits at 7,000 fans, less than the just-shy of 10,000 fans that the Mercury drew for their final two regular season home games.
GCU Arena capacity is 7,000 ... #Mercury drew just under 10,000 for their final two regular season home games at Footprint Arena, not available tonight because of Maluma (Colombian singer) concert
— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) September 23, 2021
The crowd appeared to be a major factor in the win, with Skylar Diggins-Smith thanking the fans for showing up even with the change in location.
Damn! Shoutout to the X-factor for holding us down tonight! 🙅🏽♀️
— Skylar Diggins-Smith (@SkyDigg4) September 24, 2021
Onto the next 💜🧡
GCU Women’s Basketball was also in attendance to support, giving the players the opportunity to experience what a WNBA game feels like.
Cheering on @PhoenixMercury for Round 1 of the @WNBA playoffs at our beautiful GCU Arena 👏#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/Qg9ekNcePU
— GCU Women's Basketball (@GCU_WBB) September 24, 2021
But some were also quick to point out the logo on the court, arguing that a WNBA Playoff game should be played on a court with a WNBA logo.
On a scale of 1-10, how difficult is it to change the logo on a court like this? Because a WNBA Playoff game shouldn’t be played on a court without a WNBA team logo. pic.twitter.com/M27FmbPiwf
— Chantel Jennings (@ChantelJennings) September 24, 2021
The Mercury travel to play the Seattle Storm on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
Collier will return to the court with the Lynx for the first time since May.
The Storm presented Bird with a custom ring in front of a sold-out crowd.
Ionescu made history during the Liberty's game against the Phoenix Mercury.
Laney logged seven points and four rebounds in her return.