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.

Diana Taurasi had a WNBA career playoff high 37 points Thursday, leading the Phoenix Mercury to a 117-91 win over the Las Vegas Aces.

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.

Diana Taurasi will miss at least four weeks of the WNBA season with a sternum fracture. The U.S. Olympic team will be named in mid to late June.

Tiana Mangakahia returned from breast cancer treatment to complete her college career, and now is in training camp with the Phoenix Mercury.