Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx
Taurasi, Diggins-Smith help Mercury hold off Lynx, 83-79
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 13 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter, Diana Taurasi had 23 points and 12 rebounds and the Phoenix Mercury held off the Minnesota Lynx 83-79 win on Sunday night for their third victory in a row.
Diggins-Smith made all of her 11 free-throw attempts, including four in the final 13 seconds. Brianna Turner scored 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked four shots for Phoenix (9-7). The second-year forward continued her strong play in the absence of All-Star center Brittney Griner -- who left the bubble for personal reasons last week. Turner is averaging 13 rebounds and 3.7 blocks over the last three games.
Taurasi hit 3-pointers 32 seconds apart to make it 6-5 and the Mercury led the rest of the way. She made another 3 to give Phoenix a 68-53 lead early in the fourth quarter but the Lynx answered with a 12-2 run to trim their deficit to 70-65 with 6:18 to play. Odyssey Sims made two free throws to cap an 8-0 spurt and make it a three-point game with 1:27 left but Diggins-Smith scored six points in the final minute to seal it.
Crystal Dangerfield scored 15 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter for Minnesota (10-5). Napheesa Collier finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Regular Season Series
Series tied 1-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Kevin Sparrock
- Tiara Cruse
- Byron Jarrett
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 |

