Diana Taurasi celebrates a choke sign against the Chicago Sky on Sunday. [photo: Imagn]

The Phoenix Mercury rolled past the Chicago Sky for the second time in four days behind Diana Taurasi. On Sunday, the former MVP scattered 23 points with five assists and three rebounds. The 86-68 victory secured the Mercury the season series despite another face-to-face showdown between the two teams in mid-September.

Taurasi had more pep in her step after back-to-back road games in Chicago and Indiana. She looked every bit the 42-year-old veteran against the Fever on Friday before bouncing back with a much better showing versus the Sky.

Late in the second quarter, Diana Taurasi drove strong to the rim, bumped into Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter and then hit a jump shot. The Olympian turned to her teammates to bust out a choke sign just as she celebrated.

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Fans quickly reacted to her surprising gesture:

“New Diana Taurasi meme just dropped”

@MikeRossStan commented:

“She blacked out”

One fan dragged Caitlin Clark into the conversation:

“Can’t do that to Clark”

Another fan pointed out who she scored the jumper over:

“Right over Angel Reese.”

For the second straight game against the Sky, Diana Taurasi had her way against defenders. In the first encounter between the two teams on Thursday, she had 11 points, four assists, two rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Taurasi’s numbers didn’t jump out but she controlled the tempo of the game and orchestrated Phoenix’s offense with mastery.

Taurasi stepped up scoring the basket in the rematch. With Kahleah Copper struggling to put up buckets, the three-time WNBA champ picked up the slack. It was an outstanding performance from the legendary point guard.

Diana Taurasi’s choke celebration, though, was quite out of the ordinary. She didn’t have the same gesture in any of her games this season. Fans will be interested to see if she busts out the same celebration on Wednesday against the Atlanta Dream.

Phoenix Mercury need an energized Diana Taurasi in their playoff push

The win against the Chicago Sky improved the Mercury’s record to 15-13, 3.5 games ahead of the Sky (11-16) who are in the last playoff spot. With still a dozen games or so left by all teams, the Mercury hope to have a strong finish to make the playoffs. An energized Diana Taurasi will be key for Phoenix to accomplish that goal.

Against the Fever on Friday, which was the second game of a back-to-back set, Taurasi struggled. She was late in defensive rotations and her playmaking wasn’t as crisp as many have been accustomed to. Phoenix is a much better team if she has more zip and energy in her game.

The schedule, though, will be favorable for the 20-year veteran as the Mercury will not have a back-to-back set the rest of the way. If she continues to play the way she did against the Sky, the Mercury will have a big chance of punching a playoff ticket.

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Edited by Michael Macasero