Phoenix Mercury @ Washington Mystics
Toliver, Ruffin-Pratt lead Mystics to 85-80 win over Mercury
WASHINGTON -- Kristi Toliver had 20 points, including four in the final 14 seconds, and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt scored a season-high 17 to help the short-handed Washington Mystics beat the Phoenix Mercury 85-80 on Sunday.
Emma Meesseman added 15 points, Tianna Hawkins scored 10 and Krystal Thomas had 16 rebounds for Washington (15-10). The Mystics were without Tayler Hill, Natasha Cloud and Elena Delle Donne, the 2015 WNBA MVP who averages a team-high 18.8 points per game.
Toliver sandwiched a short fade-away jumper and a 3-pointer around two free throws and a 3-point play by Ruffin-Pratt during a 10-4 run that gave Washington a 77-72 lead with 4:20 and Phoenix (13-12) trailed the rest of the way.
Diana Taurasi converted a three-point play and, after a jumper by Meesseman, Yvonne Turner hit a 3 to pull the Mercury within one, but they committed turnovers on each of their next three possessions before Toliver hit a long jumper and two free throws to cap the scoring.
Taurasi led Phoenix with 16 points, Turner scored 15 and Angel Robinson and Monique Currie added 14 apiece. It was a career best for Robinson.
The Mercury have lost six of their last eight, including two in a row. Phoenix is still missing Brittney Griner, who has injured knee and ankle.
Without Griner, the Mystics outrebounded Phoenix 42-26, including 13-4 on the offensive glass.
Regular Season Series
PHX wins 2-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tiffany Bird
- Byron Jarrett
- Isaac Barnett
- Tiffany Bird
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 |
2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 30 | 14 | .682 | - | W6 |
| New York | 27 | 17 | .614 | 3 | W3 |
| Indiana | 24 | 20 | .545 | 6 | W3 |
| Washington | 16 | 28 | .364 | 14 | L10 |
| Connecticut | 11 | 33 | .250 | 19 | L2 |
| Chicago | 10 | 34 | .227 | 20 | L4 |

