The Phoenix Mercury forced 30 turnovers against the Washington Mystics and overcame a six-point deficit in the final five minutes to earn a 68-62 win at PHX Arena on Sunday.
Rookie Monique Akoa Makani led the Mercury with 13 points, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining and two clutch free throws to take a two-possession lead in the closing 14 seconds.
The Mercury improved to 3-1 to start the season.
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Phoenix’s defense smothered Washington during the second quarter, holding the Mystics to seven points to take a 32-22 lead into halftime. The Mercury continued to push ahead with a 37-24 advantage midway through the third period, at which point Washington started to climb back in the game.
The Mystics ended the third period on a 13-6 run and took their first lead of the second half (50-48) on a Jade Melbourne triple with 8:29 left in the game. The Mercury similarly let a seven-point lead in the third quarter slip during Friday’s 77-70 loss to the Seattle Storm.
After falling behind by six points with 4:23 left in the fourth quarter, the Mercury ended the game on a 16-4 run. Alyssa Thomas drove down the lane in transition and finished with her left hand through contact, tying the game at the free-throw line with 2:07 left.
Rookie Kathryn Westbel gave Phoenix a 61-60 lead with a corner 3-pointer, and Akoa Makani hit another triple on the Mercury’s next possession to jump back ahead 64-62.
Rookies Kathryn Westbeld & Monique Akoa Makani with back-to-back CLUTCH plays to put the Mercury ahead! ??
Mercury leads by 2 late in the 4th!
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The Mercury held the Mystics without a field goal in the final four minutes.
The Mystics have dropped their previous two games by a combined five points against Las Vegas and Golden State, as the youngest team in the WNBA has been in some battles to start the year.
Thomas finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, as she was a team-high +14 on the court. Satou Sabally scored 12 points with nine rebounds and two steals.
For Washington, rookie Kiki Iriafen recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 boards.
Next Mercury game
The Mercury will continue their three-game homestand on Tuesday against the Chicago Sky at 7 p.m.
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