Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud suspended after 7th technical foul

Sep 3, 2024, 11:32 AM | Updated: Sep 5, 2024, 2:31 pm

Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud celebrates a 3-pointer against the New York Liberty during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY ANNE-MARIE IEMMOLO

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud has been suspended for one game after receiving her seventh technical foul during Sunday’s loss against the Las Vegas Aces.

Cloud, who is currently averaging 11.6 points and 6.8 assists per game, will miss Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Dream.

As per the WNBA rules, coaches and players are automatically suspended without pay for one game after receiving seven technical fouls. Following the suspension, the coach or player must sit out another game for every two technical fouls amassed.

The Mercury are still missing key players due to injuries. Forward Rebecca Allen (hamstring) and guard Charisma Osborne (lower leg) continue to sit out games. To help combat a depleted roster, the Mercury recently signed WNBA rookie Celeste Taylor to a seven-day contract.

Taylor will compete for Phoenix during their next game against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night at Footprint Center.

Mercury guard Diana Taurasi also received her seventh technical foul during Sunday’s game, but the call was rescinded upon league review, making Taurasi eligible to play against the Dream. The WNBA vet has previously received single-game bans for technical fouls on two separate occasions during the 2016 and 2018 regular seasons. In 2013, Taurasi received nine technical fouls, causing her to miss two games.

The Mercury currently lead the league with 32 technical fouls, the all-time single-season record for team technicals.

Phoenix guard Kahleah Copper received a technical while playing against the Aces. Copper, Phoenix’s lead scorer, now has six technical fouls.

During Phoenix’s match against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night, Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham was ejected from the game after receiving two back-to-back technicals.

The Mercury are on a three-game losing streak, but the team is still contending for one of the three remaining playoff spots.

The top eight out of 12 teams will make the postseason. Phoenix (16-17) is currently ranked seventh behind the Indiana Fever (17-16), who are looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Mercury missed last year’s WNBA playoffs and finished last in the league.

There are seven games left before the WNBA playoffs begin on Sept. 22.

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