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Reed, Edwards help Mercury rise 'Great additions' score for injury-riddled Phoenix

By Jose Alfredo Flores
USA TODAY

Phoenix is back in the WNBA playoff picture this year, and you couldn't blame Mercury fans if they sent two thank-you cards to Minnesota in appreciation.

One for Brandy Reed and another for Tonya Edwards. They were Minnesota's top two scorers last season before joining the Mercury in offseason deals. Now they're the leading scorers in Phoenix, which is in fourth place, two games in front of the Lynx.

''It was a tense atmosphere back in Minnesota. There was certainly an urgency to win games out there,'' said Edwards, 32. ''But it's definitely more relaxed out here in Phoenix.''

It is Reed's second tour with Phoenix, which drafted her in 1998. She leads the team in points a game (17.1, eighth in the WNBA), rebounds (5.8, 16th in the WNBA), steals (2.18, fifth in the league) and blocks (0.76, 19th in the league). Edwards, a 1999 All-Star, is second on the team in points (11.8 a game) and leads in three-pointers made (24).

''The transition to Phoenix was a lot easier having played here before,'' said Reed, 23, who will probably be an All-Star this year when the game is played July 17 in Phoenix. ''It was a smooth transition.''

Coach Cheryl Miller is happy to have them both, especially with the Mercury's rash of injuries.

Michele Timms is probably out for the season after injuring her knee July 4 in Australia. Maria Stepanova had knee surgery Saturday and is out 4-6 weeks. Jennifer Gillom missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Michelle Griffiths is listed as day-to-day after she went down with an ankle injury Saturday.

''With Tonya it's like having a coach on the court,'' Miller said. ''Brandy is committed to being an all-around player like a (Sheryl) Swoopes who can get it done night in and night out. They are both great additions to this team.''

Swoopes top vote-getter: Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes was the leading vote-getter for the WNBA All-Star Game for the second consecutive year. Swoopes, who received 171,675 votes, will receive a trophy and $25,000 check to the charity of her choice.

The West starters: Houston's Cynthia Cooper (156,746 votes) and Sacaramento's Ticha Penicheiro (64,576) at guard; Houston's Tina Thompson (91,809) at forward; and Los Angeles' Lisa Leslie (107,514) at center. East starters: Washington's Chamique Holdsclaw (166,986) and New York's Sue Wicks (48,030) at forward; Washington's Nikki McCray (117,659) and New York's Teresa Weatherspoon (111,057) at guard, and Orlando's Taj McWilliams (52,847) at center. Reserves will be announced Wednesday.

All-Star auction: WNBA.com will host an online auction in support of the league's breast health awareness program. The auction starts today and runs through July 21. Proceeds benefit NABCO (National Association of Breast Cancer Organizations).

Some of the items up for bid: game of H-O-R-S-E against a WNBA player (each team will have one player participating); tickets to Games 2 and 3 of the 2000 championship series with hotel accommodations; two tickets to an upcoming Christina Aguilera concert with two meet-and-greet passes and an autographed tour jacket.