WNBA: Phoenix Mercury Defeat Washington Mystics 96-87
The Phoenix Mercury secured a crucial 96-87 road victory over the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, with Brittney Griner leading the charge with 23 points and seven rebounds. The win was a much-needed one for the Mercury, who had previously suffered two consecutive losses.
Kahleah Copper also played a significant role in the victory, contributing 22 points and seven rebounds, while Diana Taurasi added 18 points to help the Mercury improve their season record to 13-12.
Natasha Cloud, in her first game back in Washington since leaving in free agency, put up an impressive performance, recording 12 points, 10 assists, and coming just one rebound shy of a triple-double.
On the other side, Myisha Hines-Allen led the Mystics with 18 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win for her team, who now have a season record of 6-19. Julie Vanloo, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, and Ariel Atkins also contributed to the Mystics’ efforts with 17, 15, and 14 points respectively.
The game saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with the Mercury making a crucial 13-0 run in the third quarter to take a lead they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
Despite the Mystics’ efforts to close the gap in the fourth quarter, the Mercury pulled away with clutch plays from Copper and Cunningham, ultimately sealing the victory with strong free-throw shooting and capitalizing on turnovers.
Both teams showcased strong performances from their frontcourt players throughout the game, with Griner dominating the post for the Mercury and Aaliyah Edwards making an impact for the Mystics.
In the end, it was the Mercury’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and execute in crucial moments that secured them the win over the Mystics.
With the victory, the Phoenix Mercury now look to build on their momentum as they continue their push towards the playoffs, while the Washington Mystics will aim to bounce back from their two-game losing streak and turn their season around.
