The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Minnesota Lynx 92-79 on Wednesday night. This victory marks the second time in four days that the Mercury beat the defending WNBA Champions. Prior to their meeting on Sunday, the Lynx had won the last 10 regular season meetings. They also swept the Mercury in the 2013 Western Conference Finals.
On Wednesday, in Phoenix, it was all Mercury, as they jumped out to a 26-17 lead after the first quarter. They held a 10 point advantage at halftime (52-42). The 52 points in the opening 20 minutes is a season high for Phoenix.
Minnesota made a valiant effort at overtaking the Mercury in the fourth quarter. With the deficit at five, with 3:30 left, Lynx forward Maya Moore shot a 3-pointer that missed. After that point, Phoenix closed the game on 13-5 run.
Moore finished with a game-high 36 points and five steals. Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen posted 22 points and five assists. Minnesota was without guard Seimone Augustus, who was suffering from pain in her left knee, reports The Associated Press.
For the Mercury, center Brittney Griner had a monster game. She recorded a career-high 27 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. Guard Diana Taurasi also posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 boards. She also dished out six assists.
Forward Candice Dupree (19 points) and guard DeWanna Bonner (15 points) were also in double figures for the Mercury.
“They played well, but we just played a little bit better,” Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said in her postgame press conference on WNBA.com. “Obviously they’re without one of their main players so that certainly helped in that regard. But just having composure and a little poise and I think this comes, obviously you got that veteran leadership with Diana out there and that certainly helps. I think it allowed us to finish plays when we really need to take over the game.”
These two teams are tied atop the Western Conference standings. Phoenix (8-3) is percentage points ahead of Minnesota (9-4).