Taurasi, Bonner lead Mercury to 78-71 win over Dream
ATLANTA -- Diana Taurasi and DeWanna Bonner had 20 points apiece, and combined to score the Mercury's final 20 points, as Phoenix beat the Atlanta Dream 78-71 on Sunday.
Bonner added seven rebounds, six assists and two steals while Taurasi finished with eight assists. Brittney Griner had 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for the Mercury (4-3).
Brittney Sykes made a layup to trim Atlanta's deficit to 58-57 early in the fourth quarter, but Taurasi scored 12 points from there as she and Bonner combined to make 12 of 12 free throws over the final six-plus minutes to hold off the Dream (2-3).
Taurasi hit Bonner for a 3-pointer to open the scoring and Phoenix never trailed. Bonner hit a jumper to make it 50-36, and match the Mercury's biggest lead of the game, with seven minutes left in the third quarter. Five different Atlanta players scored during a 17-4 run over the next six minutes that pulled the Dream within one.
Angel McCoughtry, who sat out last season to rest, had 21 points and 10 rebounds -- both season highs -- for Atlanta.
Regular Season Series
PHX leads 1-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Chris Douglas-Roberts
- Tony Dawkins
- Byron Jarrett
- Janetta Graham
- Toni Patillo
- John Butler
2023-24 Western Conference Standings
2023-24 Eastern Conference Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indiana | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
New York | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Washington | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Connecticut | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Chicago | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |
Atlanta | 0 | 0 | .000 | - | - |