Mercury hit 13 3s, advance past Wings in WNBA playoffs
Aug 21, 2018, 8:13 PM
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) celebrates with forward Stephanie Talbot during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
(AP Photo/John Locher)
TEMPE, Ariz. — DeWanna Bonner had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Diana Taurasi collected 26 points and 12 assists, helping the Phoenix Mercury beat the Dallas Wings 101-83 on Tuesday night in the opening game of the WNBA playoffs.
Phoenix (21-14) advances to play at Connecticut in another single-elimination round on Thursday.
Phoenix broke it open in the third quarter, hitting six 3-pointers. Bonner banked in a long three-pointer just before the shot clock expired and Taurasi added a three-pointer on its next possession, part of an 11-0 run that lifted the Mercury to a 79-59 lead.
Brittney Griner added 17 points for fifth-seeded Phoenix (21-14). Taurasi made six 3-pointers, helping the Mercury go 13 of 29 from long range.
Phoenix closed the first quarter by making seven straight field goals and Taurasi capped the first-half scoring with a three-pointer for a 53-49 advantage. Phoenix opened a double-digit lead early in the third and outscored Dallas 26-15 in the frame.
Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 23 points for No. 8 seed Dallas (15-20). Elizabeth Cambage had 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in her playoff debut.
The game was moved to Arizona State’s Wells Fargo Arena due to a scheduling conflict at the Mercury’s regular home court.
