PHOENIX (September 30, 2021)—The Phoenix Mercury jumped out to a 17-point first-quarter lead, and never led by fewer than 10 points the rest of the way in a 117-91 win over the Aces in Game 2 of their WNBA Semifinals series. The victory evened the series at one game apiece.
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Phoenix 37, Las Vegas 20)
The Mercury scored 13 of the first 15 points of the quarter. Brittney Griner scored 16 points and the Mercury made 84.2 percent of their field goal attempts (16 for 19).
Second Quarter (Phoenix 68, Las Vegas 52)
Las Vegas cut the lead to 10 with 3:07 to go in the half, but the Mercury countered by scoring six straight to push their lead back to 16. Diana Taurasi scored 11 points in the period.
Third Quarter (Phoenix 98, Las Vegas 78)
The Aces sliced the Phoenix advantage to 12 early in the quarter, but the Mercury countered with an 8-0 run. Diana Taurasi scored 11 in the frame.
Fourth Quarter (Phoenix 117, Las Vegas 91)
ibid
KEY STATS
It has been 566 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.
The Aces outscored Phoenix 46-32 in the paint.
Phoenix outscored Las Vegas 12-2 in second chance points.
The Aces bench outscored Phoenix 42-23.
The Mercury went 14 for 26 from three-point range while the Aces went 4 for 16.
The Mercury made 60.6 percent of their field goal attempts, while the Aces made 52.2 percent.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces travel to Phoenix for Game 3 of the WNBA Semifinals on Sunday, October 3. Tip is slated for 12 pm PT on ABC.