Los Angeles Sparks @ Phoenix Mercury
Gray scores 24 to help Sparks beat Mercury 89-87
PHOENIX -- Chelsea Gray scored 24 points and tied her career high with eight assists to help the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Phoenix Mercury 89-87 on Saturday night.
Candace Parker finished with 14 points, Nneka Ogwumike added 13, and Essence Carson and Alana Beard scored 12 apiece for Los Angeles (5-3). Beard added a late steal that helped seal the win.
Brittney Griner's short hook shot pulled the Mercury (5-4) within two points with 2:03 to play and neither team scored again until Parker hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with 47 seconds left to make it 87-82. Diana Taurasi answered with two free throws but, after Gray missed a shot on the other end, Beard stole a pass from Leilani Mitchell and was immediately fouled by Taurasi. Beard made the second of two free throws to give the Sparks an 88-84 lead. Taurasi hit a quick 3 to make it a one-point game but, after Gray made 1 of 2 free throws, Taurasi's potential winning shot from just inside half court fell short as time expired.
Taurasi led Phoenix with 27 points, including six 3-pointers. Griner added 21 points and nine rebounds.
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The AP WNBA Power Poll can be found online at: http://collegebasketball.ap.org/ap-wnba-power-poll-week-4
Regular Season Series
LA wins 3-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Katie Lukanich
- Tom Mauer
- Roy Gulbeyan
- Katie Lukanich
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 34 | 10 | .773 | - | W1 |
| Las Vegas | 30 | 14 | .682 | 4 | W16 |
| Phoenix | 27 | 17 | .614 | 7 | L3 |
| Seattle | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | W1 |
| Golden State | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | L3 |
| Los Angeles | 21 | 23 | .477 | 13 | L1 |
| Dallas | 10 | 34 | .227 | 24 | W1 |

