Phoenix Mercury hold on to tight victory over Liberty

Diana Taurasi and Sophie Cunningham each scored 23 points and the Phoenix Mercury beat the New York Liberty 84-81 on Thursday night.

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jul 7, 2022, 9:53 PM

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Rebecca Allen #9 of the New York Liberty reacts after scoring against the New York Liberty during the first half of the WNBA game at Footprint Center on July 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

PHOENIX (AP) — Diana Taurasi and Sophie Cunningham each scored 23 points and the Phoenix Mercury beat the New York Liberty 84-81 on Thursday night.

Skylar Diggins-Smith hit four free throws in the final 22.6 seconds for Phoenix (10-14). Diggins-Smith finished with 13 points and nine assists, and Shey Peddy had 13 points and four steals.

The Mercury never trailed.

That's an All-Star level clutch shot from @SkyDigg4 pic.twitter.com/IOzbCthyOU

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) July 8, 2022

Sabrina Ionescu led New York (9-13) with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Natasha Howard and Stefanie Dolson each scored 16 points.

The Mercury jumped in front 29-18 in the first quarter. New York chipped away at the deficit and entered the fourth quarter down by two.

Diggins-Smith sank a three to give Phoenix a needed cushion 80-76 with 1:11 remaining.

Ionescu then drilled a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one with 13.6 left on the clock, but the Liberty did not get a shot off with 3.1 second left down by three.

The win for Phoenix snapped a two-game skid.

The Mercury are back in action Tuesday against the Minnesota Lynx.