Taurasi, Beard named WNBA Players of the Week

Aug 6, 2007 - 9:14 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Diana Taurasi of the Western Conference's Phoenix Mercury and Alana Beard of the Eastern Conference's Washington Mystics were named WNBA Players of the Week on Monday.

Taurasi averaged 23.7 points, three rebounds and three assists in three games for the Mercury, who went 2-1 this week, clinching their first playoff birth in six seasons.

The 25-year-old earned her second weekly award of the season and the fifth of her career. For the season, the guard is averaging 18.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Taurasi leads the WNBA in 3-pointers with 77.

Beard averaged 19 points and five rebounds, shooting 46 percent (23-of-50) for the Mystics. Washington went 2-1 this week and currently holds the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

For the season, the guard is averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and three assists.

Other players considered for the award were Connecticut Sun guard-forward Katie Douglas, Detroit Shock center-forward Plenette Pierson, Sacramento Monarchs center-forward Yolanda Griffith and San Antonio Silver Stars forward Sophia Young.