Griner, Taurasi Mitchell lead Mercury past Storm 75-71

1:06

Bird inches closer to assists record in loss

Sue Bird records three more assists and is now three away from claiming the most in WNBA history, but the Storm fall to Diana Taurasi and the Mercury 75-71.

Updated: Aug 28, 2017, 04:39 am

SEATTLE -- Brittney Griner had 29 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, and Leilani Mitchell hit two late 3-pointers to help the Phoenix Mercury hold off the Seattle Storm 75-71 on Sunday night.

Diana Taurasi scored 18 points, and Mitchell finished with 11 for Phoenix (16-16). The Mercury clinched a playoff berth earlier Sunday when the Chicago Sky lost to the New York Liberty, 92-62.

Mitchell hit a 3 to give Phoenix a two-point lead with 1:38 to play. Jewell Loyd answered with a layup but, after Griner and Loyd traded three-point plays, Mitchell made another 3 to make it 72-69 with 44 seconds left. Breanna Stewart hit two free throws to pull the Storm within one, and Taurasi hit a deep 3-pointer to cap the scoring with 15 seconds remaining.

Loyd scored a career-high 33 points, and Stewart added 13 points and nine rebounds for Seattle (14-18).

The Mercury were 5 of 6 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter.