Washington Mystics at Phoenix Mercury
· Women's National Basketball Association
Copper and Taurasi score 20 each and Phoenix tops Washington 83-80
Natasha Cloud added 14 points and 10 assists and Sophie Cunningham scored 13 for the Mercury (3-1).
Ariel Atkins had 16 points to lead Washington (0-5), which has lost five consecutive games to open the season for this first time since the 2007 team started 0-8. Julie Vanloo scored 13 and Shakira Austin and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 11 points apiece.
After Austin hit two free throws that gave Washington a 46-45 lead with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter, Taurasi was fouled as she made a layup and hit the free throw before she hit a 3-pointer to spark a 15-0 Phoenix run.
Cloud found Natasha Mack for a short jumper, made 4 of 4 from the free-throw line and then set up a 3-pointer by Cunningham that capped the run and gave the Mercury a 60-46 lead.
Walker-Kimbrough hit a 3-pointer to end the Mystics' scoring drought of five-plus minutes. It was Washington's first field goal since Stefanie Dolson hit a 3-pointer 14 seconds into the second half.
Brittney Griner (foot) did not play for the Mercury.
Phoenix, which made 16 3-pointers on Tuesday in a 98-88 win over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, has won three games in a row. The Mercury lost their season opener, 89-80 to Las Vegas, and have responded with their longest win streak since June 2022.
Regular Season Series
PHX wins series 2-1
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 80 - 83 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 80 - 83 |
| 4th 1.1 |  |
DiDi Richards enters the game for Julie Vanloo | 80 - 83 |
| 4th 1.1 |  |
Mercury timeout | 80 - 83 |
| 4th 2.1 | |
Julie Vanloo makes 38-foot three point jumper (Ariel Atkins assists) | 80 - 83 |
Statistics
 WSH |
 PHX |
|
|---|---|---|
| 27-70 | FG | 26-60 |
| 38.6 | Field Goal % | 43.3 |
| 13-36 | 3PT | 10-33 |
| 36.1 | Three Point % | 30.3 |
| 13-16 | FT | 21-24 |
| 81.3 | Free Throw % | 87.5 |
| 36 | Rebounds | 34 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 4 |
| 27 | Defensive Rebounds | 30 |
| 21 | Assists | 20 |
| 7 | Steals | 9 |
| 1 | Blocks | 4 |
| 17 | Turnovers | 16 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 17 | Total Turnovers | 17 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 21 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 16 |
| 7 | Fast Break Points | 4 |
| 22 | Points in Paint | 30 |
| 21 | Fouls | 19 |
| 4 | Largest Lead | 14 |
Game Information
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Attendance: 7,474 · Capacity:
2023-24 Eastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New York |
- | 8 | L1 | 0.8 | 32 |
 Connecticut |
4 | 12 | W1 | 0.7 | 28 |
 Indiana |
12 | 20 | L1 | 0.5 | 20 |
 Atlanta |
17 | 25 | W3 | 0.375 | 15 |
 Washington |
18 | 26 | W1 | 0.35 | 14 |
 Chicago |
19 | 27 | L5 | 0.325 | 13 |
Minnesota
Las Vegas
Seattle
Dallas
Los AngelesWNBA News
Las Vegas Aces close out Seattle Storm, advance to the semis
The Las Vegas Aces, who have won 11 straight home games in the postseason and are vying to win three titles in a row, closed out the Seattle Storm 83-76 on Tuesday night to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
Aces advance behind big games from A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum
A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum combine to score 53 points as the Aces sweep the Storm to advance to the WNBA playoff semifinals.
Aces close out Storm 83-76 and will make their sixth consecutive WNBA semifinal appearance
— Kelsey Plum scored 29 points, A’ja Wilson had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Las Vegas Aces closed out the Seattle Storm 83-76 on Tuesday night to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
WNBA offseason 2024: Guides for every WNBA team
What are the offseason priorities and needs for every WNBA team? We break it down as each team is eliminated from the playoff race.
Jackie Young's steal closes out sweep for Aces
Jackie Young makes a big play to close out the series for the Aces as they advance to the WNBA semifinals.