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The Phoenix Mercury (2-2) defeated the Indiana Fever (3-2) on Sunday afternoon, 94-87. The Mercury took a big lead early and led by as many as 28 points with 2:58 left in the third quarter. Though Indiana never led in the game, they made things interesting in the fourth quarter to drop the deficit down to single digits. Unfortunate for the Fever, the game had been all but decided by then.
Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists while DeWanna Bonner added 25 points and 7 rebounds. For much of the first three quarters, both made highlight play after highlight play at Indiana’s expense.
B you G
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 9, 2019
R can't R
I stop I
T her N
T E
N R
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Y pic.twitter.com/Gnw0PB4m62
Broadcaster : 'That's NBA range'
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 9, 2019
Us : 'No, that's just @DEEBONNER24 range' pic.twitter.com/Z7OWxOtnXA
FAKE IT THEN YOU MAKE IT! pic.twitter.com/I1iJX353Vk
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 9, 2019
Though the Fever were outmatched in this game, they were able to make a big fourth-quarter run as Kelsey Mitchell scored 11 of her 26 points and Tiffany Mitchell scored 14 of her 17 points in the final quarter.
The @IndianaFever go on 15-1 run to cut into the @PhoenixMercury 4th quarter lead pic.twitter.com/RpZRoTmzc8
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 9, 2019
The Mitchells weren’t just playing the entire fourth quarter without Bonner and Griner. Phoenix’s star duo had to come back in the final six minutes of the game and Phoenix’s stars still weren’t able to slow them down. Though this loss is disappointing for Indiana, their fourth quarter run was still very commendable — a “win” for a young developing team.
Next up for the Mercury
Phoenix will travel to Chicago to play the Sky (2-2) on Tuesday, June 11, at 8 p.m. ET.
Next up for the Fever
The Fever stay at home and host the Seattle Storm (3-3) on Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. ET.