PHOENIX MERCURY

Mercury beat Sun to advance to semifinals of WNBA playoffs

Sep 10, 2017, 4:26 PM

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)...

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Brittney Griner had 26 points and nine rebounds, Diana Taurasi added 23 points, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Connecticut Sun 88-83 on Sunday to reach the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

Taurasi moved to 11-0 in elimination playoff games.

Phoenix will play second-seeded Los Angeles on Tuesday night in Game 1 of a best-of-five series.

Phoenix made 3-pointers on three straight possession late in the fourth quarter to take an 84-79 lead. Leilani Mitchell started it with an open shot from the wing for a 78-76 lead. Taurasi came off a screen for another 3, and Monique Currie capped it with 2:31 left.

Connecticut, down 84-81, grabbed an offensive rebound and Shekinna Stricklen was fouled with 11.4 seconds left but she missed two free throws. Phoenix’s Camille Little grabbed the rebound and she made two free throws for a two-possession lead.

Currie and Mitchell each added 12 points for Phoenix.

Alyssa Thomas had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Jonquel Jones added 19 points and 15 rebounds for Connecticut. Jones had 11 points and 12 rebounds in the first half to set a playoff franchise record for rebounds in a half.

Phoenix trailed by as many as 17 points in the second quarter, but Taurasi’s layup in traffic pulled the Mercury to 45-38. Griner scored 11 of her 13 first-half points in the second quarter.

Griner made a baseline shot with 32 seconds left in the third for Phoenix’s first lead, 68-66, since 3-0.

Phoenix Mercury

Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury...

Damon Allred

Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner named to USA women’s national team training camp roster

Phoenix Mercury standouts Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner were named to the training camp roster for the women's national team.

18 hours ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

2 days ago

2024 WNBA All-Star Game logo...

Arizona Sports

2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix to feature Team USA

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix will feature a matchup of the USA Basketball against a remaining group of All-Stars.

9 days ago

Mat Ishbia and Adam Silver...

Arizona Sports

Adam Silver credits Mat Ishbia for commitments to Suns, Mercury with upcoming All-Star games

The world's biggest basketball stars are coming to Phoenix for the WNBA All-Star Game this summer and the NBA All-Star Game in 2027.

22 days ago

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark...

Associated Press

Iowa star Caitlin Clark declares for 2024 WNBA Draft

Iowa's Caitlin Clark announced Thursday that she will leave the Hawkeyes after this season and enter the WNBA Draft.

29 days ago

Sug Sutton...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Mercury re-sign Sug Sutton to training camp contract

The Phoenix Mercury re-signed point guard Sug Sutton to a training camp contract on Tuesday coming off her breakout season in 2023.

1 month ago

Mercury beat Sun to advance to semifinals of WNBA playoffs