The Sun's starters (plus Jones) put their team way ahead of the Monarchs, who looked worn-out from their back-to-back in Detroit and Indy.

Then the Sun's starters (plus Jones) got tired and let Sacramento almost all the way back. Clutch interior play from the indefatigable Taj preserved the Sun win.

In the locker room afterwards, Taj was so bruised that she couldn't sit down. Everybody played defense: everybody got banged up. Even, apparently, coach Thibault: "I'm exhausted," he exclaimed.

The Day's DiMauro watched casino exec Mitch Etess enjoy the finals rematch. "It's as good a situation as you can be in," says Thibault. "First, Mitch loves the game. Second, he understands. He runs a huge business first class and wants the basketball part of it to be run first class, too."

Lindsay Whalen-- notoriously bad behind the arc for most of this year-- sank three treys in five tries. Nicole Powell sank five of seven, all after halftime.

Sales didn't dress for the game Sun fans can expect her in uniform either at the August 11 home finale, or else in the playoffs; with her team still winning, there's no reason to rush. Sun trainer Lisa Ciaravella says Sales has "been easy to work with"; "you can't ask for somebody who's more willing to get their body better."