Las Vegas Aces guard Jaime Nared (31) falls to the floor after fouling Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Diana Taurasi scored 37 points, Brittney Griner had 25 points and 11 rebounds and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Las Vegas Aces 104-93 on Wednesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.
DeWanna Bonner added 20 points and 14 rebounds for Phoenix (16-12), which had lost seven of its last eight games. The Mercury moved into a fourth-place tie in the playoff standings with Los Angeles and Washington.
Phoenix had its lead trimmed to 77-74 after Las Vegas scored seven of the first nine fourth-quarter points. But Taurasi and Briann January made 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions for a 98-85 lead with 3:23 to go.
Griner had 18 points, four rebounds and two blocks in the first half and Taurasi also scored 18 points - with 11 straight makes at the free-throw line. Taurasi finished 17 of 18 at the stripe matching her career best in both categories. Griner made 9 of 14 from the line as Phoenix shot 82.9 percent.
A'ja Wilson scored 20 of her 29 points in the first half for Las Vegas (12-14). Kayla McBride had 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Aces were just 33-of-84 shooting (39 percent) from the field, including 2 of 11 from 3-point range.
Las Vegas Aces center Kelsey Bone, right, fouls Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) fouls Las Vegas Aces center Kelsey Bone during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Phoenix Mercury guard Leilani Mitchell, left, knocks the ball away from Las Vegas Aces guard Moriah Jefferson during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello shouts during the first half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
MGM Resorts International chairman Jim Murren watches the first half of a WNBA basketball game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press