Peddy hits buzzer-beater to lift Mercury to victory
Until Tuesday night, Shey Peddy hadn’t played long enough with the Phoenix Mercury to make much of an impact.
Now, she’ll never be forgotten.
The 31-year-old WNBA second-year guard calmly pump faked to avoid a Washington defender flying at her then hit an open 3-pointer before the buzzer, completing an improbable comeback win for the Mercury in a WNBA playoff first round elimination game.
Peddy began the season with the Mystics then signed with the injury-riddled Mercury on Aug. 19. Her corner trey for an 85-84 win at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, pushed her point total to a season-high12 and more importantly advanced the No. 5-seed Mercury to a second round elimination game Thursday against No. 4 Minnesota.
“It’s an indescribable feeling,” Peddy said. “To see how excited my teammates and coaches were. It’s the best I’ve felt probably ever.”
Peddy held both arms aloft after hitting the buzzer beater then was mobbed by her teammates after ending the season for her former teammates on defending WNBA champion Washington. She also played 15 games with the Mystics in 2019.
“For me to hit that shot against them is a fairy tale moment,” Peddy said. “I don’t think you can write it up any better than that.”
Especially considering what preceded that happily ever after moment.
The Mercury trailed for three quarters and well into the fourth before Skylar Diggins-Smith keyed a 17-0 run, transforming a 73-61 deficit into a 78-73 lead with 4:23 remaining.
But the Mystics were far from done. Former Mercury guard Leilani Mitchell made her fifth 3-pointer followed by an Emma Meesseman steal and break layup for an 83-82 lead with 38 seconds left.
Diggins-Smith ran into Myisha Hines-Allen for an offensive foul. Mitchell missed a shot, but the Mystics rebounded then Mitchell made 1-of-2 free throws at 5.8.
Mercury coach Sandy Brondello drew up a play during a timeout with Diana Taurasi inbounding to Diggins-Smith.
“The play call was Kia (Vaughn) to set a screen (for Taurasi),” Diggins Smith said. When that didn’t develop correctly, Diggins-Smith moved to her left in traffic and saw Peddy open at the opposite baseline. “I believe in Shey. I see her putting shots up in the gym every day. We believe in one another on this team. There’s a reason why we’re here. I can’t explain this basketball we’re playing. It’s the craziest basketball I’ve ever been a part of in my life.”
Peddy finished her college career at Temple in 2012 then played overseas until finally got a WNBA opportunity with the Mystics in 2019 for15 games. She was waived Aug. 17 then signed a pair of seven-day contracts with the Mercury before being extended Sept. 2 for the rest of the season.
“I saw Leilani coming at me full steam,” Peddy said of her ever first game-winning shot. “I was just praying I had enough time to pump fake because I knew if I shot it, she was going to block it. Once I let it go, I was hoping it went in. It felt good, but it was a little high so I was unsure.”
The Mercury, after three days off, were sluggish in the first half against the Mystics, who need a season-ending four-game win streak to slip into the playoffs.
Washington led 58-47 at halftime and 70-59 going into the fourth quarter even after the Mercury offense began to percolate in the third.
“This was one of a kind,” said Taurasi, now 14-1 in WNBA winner-take-all games. “So many momentum swings. We picked it up and we were still down 11. Then we’re up five and down one again. It was incredible. Leilani was amazing. She was going to will that team to a win, but Shey Peddy on time.”
Diggins-Smith and Taurasi combined for 47 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
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