Local Scene: Chatman not thinking about potential Sky-Mercury rematch

The Sky’s 89-87 overtime loss Tuesday night to the Phoenix Mercury was a reminder the two teams could meet later this season in a rematch of the 2014 WNBA Finals. That would certainly be welcomed by the league, as it could showcase stars Elena Delle Donne and Brittney Griner once again.

One person who wasn’t looking ahead was coach Pokey Chatman.

“For us and all of the other WNBA teams, this is 18th game so nobody can think Finals,” Chatman told the media in Phoenix. “We’re all so bunched up but it’s nice that you guys talk about that and it’s respectful to both franchises.”

Out on top

Shannon Boxx announced Monday she’s retiring from the Red Stars. Boxx, 38, was a member of the U.S. women’s national team that won the World Cup earlier this summer and will take part in their victory tour through the end of the year.

In an article on The Players’ Tribune, Boxx wrote she realized she would retire when she returned home to Portland, Oregon after the tournament and looked at her daughter.

“She recognized this place — her home,” Boxx wrote. “I took a deep breath. I thought, I’m home.”

Boxx made four appearances for the Red Stars this year.

Bringing the speed?

One of the St. Louis Blues’ needs heading into the offseason was speed. That could come from youngsters Ty Rattie and Robby Fabbri, both of whom spent time with the Wolves last season.

“The quickness is in the kids (Rattie and Fabbri),” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Some team isn’t just going to give you a really quick player, you’re going to have to develop that.”

Rattie has played most of the last two years with the Wolves, and Fabbri finished last season in Chicago.