PHOENIX MERCURY

Diana Taurasi hits 3 with 1.1 left, Mercury beat Lynx

May 14, 2021, 9:42 PM | Updated: 9:42 pm

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS — Diana Taurasi made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to give the Phoenix Mercury a 77-75 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night.

The 38-year-old Taurasi made just two of her first 12 field goals before hitting the winner in the opener for both teams.

The officials stopped play after Taurasi’s basket because the clock inadvertently stopped at 6.8 seconds when Minnesota turned it over. Following a lengthy delay, the Lynx inbounded it at half court but were not able to get off a shot before the buzzer.

Skylar Diggins-Smith led Phoenix with 18 points. Brittney Griner had 17 points and 12 rebounds for her 42nd career double-double, tying former Mercury star DeWanna Bonner for the most in franchise history.

Brianna Turner added 13 points and 10 rebounds, Taurasi finished with 14 points and Kia Nurse, in her first game with Phoenix, had 10.

Griner tipped in her own miss just before the halftime buzzer to give Phoenix a 33-24 lead. She had 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the first half, and Diggins-Smith added eight points as the Mercury led by as many as 11. Kayla McBride led Minnesota with nine points.

Minnesota opened the second half by outscoring Phoenix 17-6 to take a 41-39 lead.

Aerial Powers, in her first game with Minnesota, scored 18 points. McBride, a fellow newcomer, and Crystal Dangerfield, the 2020 rookie of the year, added 17 points apiece. Sylvia Fowles scored 11 points to move into 17th place on the WNBA’s career list, and she also had 11 rebounds.

Phoenix Mercury

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.

11 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.

19 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.

21 days ago

Natasha Cloud #9 of the Washington Mystics plays against the New York Liberty during Game Two of Ro...

Arizona Sports

Mercury’s commitment was ‘everything’ for new G Natasha Cloud

New Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud said the franchise's commitment to improving was a driving force in her decision to sign.

24 days ago

Diana Taurasi celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Mercury focused on present and future in twilight of Diana Taurasi’s career

Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U'Ren finds himself in a balancing act as he works to build a sustainable roster around Diana Taurasi.

27 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort chats pregame...

Arizona Sports

Full Arizona Sports’ 2024 Newsmakers Week schedule

Leaders from the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona State Sun Devils and more join Bickley & Marotta.

28 days ago

Diana Taurasi hits 3 with 1.1 left, Mercury beat Lynx