It was a big game for the Phoenix Mercury, and they played like it pulling out a 90-80 win over the Los Angeles Sparks. With the win, the Mercury is not the sixth seed in the WNBA.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Taurasi and Diggins-Smith
Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith combined for 57 points. Taurasi scored 30 on 7-18 shooting from the field and 5-13 from beyond the arc. She also made 11-12 free throws. Diggins-Smith scored 27 points on 12-120 shooting from the field while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out six assists. Taurasi and Diggins-Smith have been playing outstanding lately, and Phoenix is benefiting from it.
Shey Peddy was the only Mercury player to score in double digits with 12 points while adding four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Brianna Turner added two points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The Mercury got a big lead by playing efficient basketball and strong defense; they held Los Angeles to 40.3% from the field and 2-21 from the three-point line. Phoenix did an excellent job on Nneka Ogwumike to 15 points on 6-14 shooting. Turner did a good job making Ogwumike work. In addition, the Mercury did a great job giving Nneka different looks.
Phoenix outrebounded Los Angeles 32-31 and led by 27 points at one point in the game. However, the Sparks made a run in the second half because they did a good job getting to the free-throw line. The Sparks shot 23-28 from the charity stripe.
Chennedy Carter led the Sparks in scoring with 23 points off the bench. Katie Lou Samuelson struggled, shooting 0-7 from the field and missing all six of her three-point shots.
The Mercury are starting to play some good basketball at the right time as they make their run to the playoffs. Phoenix will now travel to the east coast to take on the New York Liberty on Sunday. They need all the wins they can get to make the playoffs.
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LaMarr Fields is a WNBA Insider, Sports Insider, and breaking news reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @lburncitysports
