Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury

· Women's National Basketball Association

Los Angeles Sparks

7-12, 2-7 Away

Final
78 - 72

Phoenix Mercury

4-14, 3-6 Home

Griner dunks, Taurasi gets hot in fourth quarter and Mercury pull out 78-72 win over Sparks

Phoenix Mercury vs. Los Angeles Sparks - Condensed Game

Diana Taurasi added 12 of her 22 in the fourth quarter to put her less than 100 points from 10,000 in her career. Moriah Jefferson scored 11 for the Mercury (4-14), who had lost three straight and nine of 10 for the worst record in the WNBA. Griner, who matched her season high for points, also had 11 rebounds.

Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points and 14 boards to lead the short-handed Sparks (7-12), who have lost five straight. Jordin Canada scored 16 points, Azura Stevens added 13 and Jasmine Thomas 10.

The Sparks were without five players and lost starter Dearica Hamby with a sprained ankle midway through the first half.

Griner had 16 points in the first half as the Mercury took a 42-36 lead. Griner was 7-of-11 shooting, including a dunk early in the second quarter. It was her 18th in the regular season to go with five in all-star games and two in the playoffs.

“It felt good, felt good,” Griner said. ""I thought I forgot how to dunk for a little bit there."

Griner converted a three-point play to put Phoenix on top 68-55 with six minutes to play but Ogwumike scored eight points before Canada drilled back-to-back 3-pointers and the Sparks were within 72-69 with two minutes to go.

Stevens made a free throw and then the Sparks had a chance to tie with a minute left but a Taurasi foul on Canada was overturned on a coach's challenge. Taurasi made four free throws and Griner two to secure the win.

Regular Season Series

LA wins series 3-1

Recent Plays

4th 0.0	End of Game	72 - 78
4th 0.0	End of the 4th Quarter	72 - 78
4th 4.0	Destanni Henderson makes driving layup	72 - 78
4th 12.1	Brittney Griner makes free throw 2 of 2	70 - 78
4th 12.1	Brittney Griner makes free throw 1 of 2	70 - 77

Statistics

LA		PHX
26-70	FG	30-63
37	Field Goal %	48
8-21	3PT	5-17
38	Three Point %	29
12-14	FT	13-15
86	Free Throw %	87
30	Rebounds	37
8	Offensive Rebounds	10
22	Defensive Rebounds	27
15	Assists	22
9	Steals	7
2	Blocks	6
11	Turnovers	17
2	Team Turnovers	1
13	Total Turnovers	18
0	Technical Fouls	0
0	Total Technical Fouls	0
0	Flagrant Fouls	0
9	Points Conceded Off Turnovers	21
2	Fast Break Points	2
28	Points in Paint	40
19	Fouls	19
3	Largest Lead	13

Game Information

Mortgage Matchup Center

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Attendance: 9,206 · Capacity:

2024-25 Western Conference Standings

TEAM	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Minnesota	-	10	W1	0.77272725	34
Las Vegas	4	14	W16	0.6818182	30
Phoenix	7	17	L3	0.6136364	27
Seattle	11	21	W1	0.52272725	23
Golden State	11	21	L3	0.52272725	23
Los Angeles	13	23	L1	0.47727272	21
Dallas	24	34	W1	0.22727273	10

Full Standings

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