"This was just another regular season game. We did some good things early tonight. Indiana is a good defensive team so it is difficult to put up 100 points against a half court defensive team like Indiana. We don't worry about our record, we just play each game. Tonight we have to give credit to our big players doing a good job crashing the boards." - Diana Taurasi

Diana's quote summed up everything I (and probably you) love about her and the Mercury.

1. They don't make too big a deal out of a big win like tonight or a tough loss like in Detroit.
2. They acknowledge what they do well, but are never content.
3. They constantly deflect credit to other teammates, or opposing teams.
4. They have some of the biggest hearts I've ever seen in a professional team.

For anyone that was concerned or worried about this Mercury team...tonight should’ve quelled the majority of your tension.

Against the WNBA’s best defensive team, the Mercury scored 106 points including quarters of 28, 27, 32 points. 8 players had 8 or more points, 4 players were in double figures, the team shot almost 60% both from the floor and beyond the arc (including 10 made three-pointers), out-rebounded the Fever, had 5 more assists, and forced 14 turnovers. More importantly, every lady that saw minutes put points on the board for Phoenix.

Clearly, this was a statement-making win for the Mighty Mercury.

After a tough loss against a physical Detroit team less than 24 hours ago, Phoenix responded tonight with heart and (as always) resilience in the 2nd game of their last back-to-back set of the season. It would’ve been easy for the Mercury to come out lackadaisical or play with heavy legs; instead, they stormed out of the gates catching the Fever off-guard with their energy and enthusiasm as a team.

Leading the charge from the start was Temeka Johnson. Meek made it a mission of hers to lead the Mercury to victory on both ends of the floor tonight doing a little bit of everything for Phoenix. She had 13 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals in just 23 minutes of play. Helping Temeka out was another fantastic game by Cappie Pondexter who scored 25 points, notched 4 assists, and grabbed 3 rebounds.

Though, what ultimately won the game for the Mercury tonight was the collective effort as a team. There wasn’t any focus on individual stats or accolades – if an extra pass needed to be made, they made it. If they needed a rebound, they went out and got it. If they needed points, they had 9 ladies who could put the ball in the basket.

This team has heart, and tonight's game showed it more than ever.

What impressed me the most is how bad the Mercury wanted this win tonight; and it wasn't because they were playing the Indiana Fever or that they got beat at home when these teams last played each other. No, it wasn’t about the Fever, per se, it was about wanting to bounce back from a difficult loss in Detroit. That attitude, my friends, is the mindset of champions, and it's extremely encouraging to see that type of response this late in the season.

Perhaps more important than the win itself, is the Mercury are consistently demonstrating they are able to win without solely relying on Diana and Cappie to carry them to victory. Instead of needing DT3 or CP23 to play 35-40 minutes a night, and score 25-30 points each, they have multiple ways of beating you even if Diana and Cappie are having an off-shooting night. They have a clear floor general in Temeka, an anchor in both Penny and Nicole, and the Shawn Marion-esque DeWanna Bonner that round out their already solid roster.

I've said it countless times this season, even from my early days watching the team's two-a-days in training camp - this team is special. This team has heart.

And tonight's game made me look like a genius.