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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 16, 2009

WNBA: Mercury suspend Taurasi after DUI arrest


Associated Press

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury have suspended guard Diana Taurasi for two games without pay after she was cited on drunk-driving related charges.

In a release Thursday, the team said Taurasi was suspended "for conduct detrimental to the team." Taurasi will miss Saturday's game against Detroit and a July 22 game against Minnesota.

Taurasi faces three drunk-driving related charges, including extreme DUI, for a July 2 incident in which she also was cited for speeding. The 27-year-old guard was cited hours after she scored 22 points in the Mercury's 93-81 victory over the Seattle Storm.

A Phoenix police report released Tuesday shows Taurasi's blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent, or more than twice the Arizona legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Taurasi pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges and not responsible to the speeding citation.

Her next scheduled court date is July 22.

Taurasi was the top pick in the 2004 WNBA draft after leading Connecticut to three consecutive NCAA titles.