Author: Jeff Metcalfe, Arizona Republic

Kahleah Copper, Candace Parker and the Sky took a 2-1series lead with an 86-50 rout, the largest margin of victory in WNBA Finals history.

The Sky used a 17-0 first-half run to roll to a 91-77 win over the Mercury, who were playing just 40 hours after closing out their semifinal series.

Brittney Griner came through with a clutch block on A’ja Wilson in the final seconds as Phoenix held on for an 87-84 win to reach the WNBA Finals.

Phoenix Mercury guard Kia Nurse will miss the rest of the season and beyond with an ACL tear suffered Wednesday in the WNBA semifinals.

Jade Carey, who’s competing as an individual and not a member of Team USA, qualified for two Olympic gymnastics event finals Sunday.

Diana Taurasi, playing for the first time since May 21 due to a sternum fracture, surpassed 9,000 career points in the Mercury’s win over the Sparks.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner said she received mental health counseling after leaving the WNBA bubble last summer.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has left the WNBA bubble in Bradenton, Florida, for personal reasons, the Mercury announced Saturday.