WNBA: Diana Taurasi scores 29, moves within 18 points of 10,000 in loss to Fever

August 2, 2023 Times Europe

Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi goes to the basket past Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

INDIANAPOLIS — Emma Cannon had a career-high 23 points with nine rebounds, Kelsey Mitchell added 21 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Phoenix Mercury 72-71 on Tuesday night to spoil Diana Taurasi’s 29-point performance.

Taurasi, the league’s career scoring leader, is now 18 points away from 10,000 points. Taurasi, who was coming off a season-high 24 points on Sunday, scored 23 of Phoenix’s 43 first-half points after making 8 of 10 shots, including 4 of 6 from distance. Taurasi finished 10 of 16, with five 3-pointers.

Mitchell extended the lead to 70-61 with 5:06 left in the fourth quarter, but the Fever would not score again until Cannon’s shot in the lane with 59.5 seconds left to regain the lead.

Indiana guard Erica Wheeler was off on a 3-pointer and Phoenix took possession with 13.9 seconds left. Taurasi was short on a baseline jumper but Phoenix kept the possession with 6.8 seconds left. Moriah Jefferson got into the paint but her layup didn’t fall and Aliyah Boston secured the rebound.

Indiana (7-19) won at home for just the second time this season. Phoenix (6-19) had its road losing streak extended to 10 straight games.

SUN 79, LYNX 69

UNCASVILLE, Connecticut — Alyssa Thomas had 21 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists for her fifth triple-double of the season and the Sun beat the short-handed Lynx.

It was Thomas’ ninth career triple-double. Thomas, who also had a triple-double in an 87-83 loss to the Lynx on Sunday, became the first player in WNBA history to record a triple-double in back-to-back games multiple times in a season. She also has more triple-doubles this season than any other WNBA player has in her career.

Tyasha Harris added 17 points off the bench for Connecticut (19-7). Tiffany Hayes had 16 points and DeWanna Bonner scored 15 on 7-of-19 shooting.

Lindsay Allen scored 16 points and Kayla McBride added 15 points for Minnesota (13-14), which had a three-game winning streak snapped. Minnesota was without star Napheesa Collier, who is sidelined with a sprained ankle.

ACES 93, DREAM 72

LAS VEGAS— Jackie Young scored 24 points, A’ja Wilson had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Las Vegas clinched a WNBA playoff spot with a win over Atlanta.

Las Vegas (24-2) has won eight straight games to become the second team in WNBA history to start a season 24-2, joining the 1998 Houston Comets. The Aces still have 14 regular-season games before the playoffs start.

Cheyenne Parker scored 15 of her 19 points in the first half for Atlanta (14-12). Allisha Gray was held to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. Rhyne Howard also struggled from the field, scoring six points.

LIBERTY 76, SPARKS 69

LOS ANGELES— Courtney Vandersloot scored 20 of her season-high 23 points in the second half, Breanna Stewart added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and New York closed out its win over Los Angeles on a 10-2 run.

Vandersloot also had seven rebounds and six assists, and Stewart added four steals and three blocks. Sabrina Ionescu scored 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting and Jonquel Jones had nine points and eight rebounds for New York (20-6).

Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points and eight rebounds for Los Angeles (9-17). Ogwumike moved past Candace Parker (5,684) for the second-most points in franchise history, trailing Lisa Leslie (6,263). Jordin Canada added 13 points and six assists, and Layshia Clarendon scored 11 points.

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