WASHINGTON — Brittney Griner had 23 points and seven rebounds, Kahleah Copper scored 10 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 96-87 on Tuesday.
Copper scored six straight points in the fourth and Natasha Cloud capped the 8-0 run for an 82-72 lead with 5:09 left.
Washington guard Ariel Atkins stole it from Diana Taurasi and raced the other way for a layup while being fouled. Atkins completed the three-point play with 2:43 left to get within 87-83 following an 8-0 run. But Phoenix made a shot on its next three possessions, capped by Sophie Cunningham’s 3-pointer for a 94-85 lead.
Phoenix sealed it when Taurasi blocked a Myisha Hines-Allen shot and Copper converted a fast-break layup at the other end for a 96-87 lead with 22.6 left.
Taurasi finished with 18 points and Cloud had 12 points, nine rebounds and 10 assist for Phoenix (13-12). Cunningham added 11 points off the bench.
Hines-Allen led Washington (6-19) with 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Julie Vanloo scored 17, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 15 and Atkins finished with 14 points. Atkins also passed Emma Meesseman for third on Washington’s career assists list.
Phoenix closed the third quarter on a 13-0 run, capped by Cloud’s jumper from the free-throw line to take a 71-63 lead. Cloud also opened the fourth with a basket for a 10-point lead.
In a thrilling matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Washington Mystics, Brittney Griner delivered a standout performance that propelled her team to victory. The 6-foot-9 center dominated the court, showcasing her incredible skills and leading the Mercury to a 91-79 win.
Griner was a force to be reckoned with throughout the game, scoring a game-high 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Her presence in the paint was felt by the Mystics, as she blocked several shots and altered countless others with her intimidating defense.
But it wasn’t just Griner’s scoring and rebounding that made the difference in this game. Her ability to create opportunities for her teammates with her passing and court vision was also on full display. Griner dished out 5 assists, finding open shooters and cutting players with precision.
The Mercury’s victory over the Mystics was a testament to Griner’s all-around excellence on the court. Her performance not only lifted her team to victory but also solidified her status as one of the top players in the WNBA.
With Griner leading the way, the Mercury look poised to make a deep playoff run this season. Her combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ make her a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, and her impact on both ends of the court cannot be overstated.
As fans and analysts alike continue to marvel at Brittney Griner’s standout performance against the Mystics, one thing is clear: she is a true superstar in the world of women’s basketball.