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Liz Cambage says defeat in WNBA playoffs may see her remain in America as she chases a title

A HEARTBROKEN Liz Cambage says the bitter taste left after her Dallas Wings were knocked out of the WNBA playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury has made her keen to return to the US next season.

Peter Mitchell
2 min read
August 22, 2018 - 2:26PM
AAP
Elizabeth Cambage says her playoff defeat may see her stick with the WNBA despite the pay for players being well below leagues in Europe and China. Picture: Getty Images
Elizabeth Cambage says her playoff defeat may see her stick with the WNBA despite the pay for players being well below leagues in Europe and China. Picture: Getty Images

A HEARTBROKEN Liz Cambage says the bitter taste left after her Dallas Wings were knocked out of the WNBA playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury has made her keen to return to the US next season.

The Australian centre had been vocal about quitting the WNBA because the pay for players was well below leagues in Europe and China but the Mercury’s 101-83 defeat of the Wings in Tuesday’s sudden death first round playoff game appears to have changed that.

Cambage was in tears as she left the court and at her post game press conference she talked about a desire to return to the Wings next season and lead the team to a championship.

REVEALED: Draw for 2019/2019 WNBL season

“Heartbreak has always made me hungrier,” Cambage told reporters. “It’s my first taste of the playoffs and it has left a bitter taste in my mouth.” Cambage said she will make up her mind about returning to the WNBA after she leads the Australian team at the World Cup in Spain next month and completes a lucrative contract to play in China.

“I’ll have to see how I’m feeling after China but I want to be here talking about a win next year,” she said.

“I want to be here.

“I want a ring.” The Mercury, coached by Australian Olympic coach Sandy Brondello and featuring Australian forward Stephanie Talbot and guard Leilani Mitchell, ran away with the game in Tempe, Arizona, after a tight first half.

The Wings’ hopes largely rested with 203cm tall Cambage who is a contender for WNBA MVP after leading the league in points per page during the regular season and scoring a record high 53 points in one game.

Mercury’s All-Star centre Brittney Griner went head-to-head with Cambage and they cancelled each other out.

Cambage had 22 points and 12 rebounds while Griner had 17 points and five rebounds.

The Mercury’s other All-Stars, DeWanna Bonner and Diana Taurasi, took control of the game with 29 points and 26 respectively and Opals forward Talbot was the x-factor with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Taurasi also had 12 assists and sank six three-pointers, making her the first player in WNBA history with more than 20 points, 10 assists and five three- pointers in a playoff game.

The Mercury will face the Connecticut Sun on Thursday in the second round of the playoffs.

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Originally published as Liz Cambage says defeat in WNBA playoffs may see her remain in America as she chases a title

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/swoop/liz-cambage-says-defeat-in-wnba-playoffs-may-see-her-remain-in-america-as-she-chases-a-title/news-story/d50f79058635971fb753ba6c9ff722e7