Taurasi becomes 4th player in WNBA history to get 10 assists by halftime
Aug 12, 2018, 7:39 PM
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
PHOENIX — Mercury guard Diana Taurasi found a new way to etch her name in the record book.
In Phoenix’s win over the Los Angeles Sparks, Taurasi became the fourth player in WNBA history to record 10 assists by halftime, according to Elias Sports.
The final one in the first half came with a second to spare.
OUR FAVORITE PLAY OF THE SEASON!!!! pic.twitter.com/FZNZ1XqATX
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 12, 2018
She finished with 14 points and added 20 points.
A different Mercury player stole the show, though. Forward DeWanna Bonner scored a season-high 31 points, and it came with an exclamation point.
She ended the third quarter by draining a shot from nearly half-court to give the Phoenix Mercury a 13-point lead over the Sparks.
Different POV. Same AMAZING play. pic.twitter.com/qmSKF1uBJX
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 13, 2018
Bonner and Taurasi set the tone for an 86-78 win over the Western Conference rival.
DB and DT are fired up! No stopping them! pic.twitter.com/tGLhONLwpl
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 13, 2018
The third of the All-Star trio contributed as well. Center Brittney Griner had a double-double, posting 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Mercury began to pull away from the Sparks with a 17-2 run to boost the lead to 73-54.
The Sparks began pulling back, cutting the deficit to 14 before Taurasi sank a 3-pointer.
This shot never gets old…
EVER. pic.twitter.com/Mv9C40hgiF
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 13, 2018
Los Angeles cut the score to 81-73 with 1:28 remaining in the game, but were unable to get any closer.
The Mercury were able to overcome forward Candace Parker, who scored the Sparks’ first 12 points and finished with 23, and move within a half-game of Los Angeles in the standings.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
