DeWanna Bonner scored 19 factors off the bench, together with six within the fourth quarter, to steer the Phoenix Mercury to an 85-79 victory over her outdated crew, the Indiana Fever, on Tuesday night time at Phoenix.
Bonner started the season with the Fever earlier than they waived her in late June. She then signed in July with the Mercury, whose bench outscored Indiana’s 31-12 due to Bonner’s efforts.
Phoenix (26-14) gained its fifth straight sport, bettering its probabilities to be within the high 4 of the WNBA standings and earn home-court benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs.
The Mercury have been No. 4, forward of No. 5 New York Liberty by 1 1/2 video games, heading into Tuesday’s slate of video games.
The Fever (21-20) are No. 8 within the WNBA standings, the final qualifying spot for the playoffs, with three regular-season video games remaining.
Caitlin Clark missed her nineteenth consecutive sport with a proper groin harm.
Alyssa Thomas led Phoenix with 23 factors to go together with 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
Satou Sabally had 13 factors, Kahleah Copper completed with 11 and Sami Whitcomb had 10.
Whitcomb additionally had seven assists, and Natasha Mack posted 10 rebounds.
Kelsey Mitchell had 29 factors for the Fever, who additionally obtained 18 factors from Lexie Hull and 11 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists from Aliyah Boston.
Phoenix outscored Indiana 15-3 to shut the second quarter and take a 54-39 lead at halftime.
Thomas and Sabaly mixed for 9 factors in that stretch. Bonner additionally had eight factors within the quarter.
After Indiana scored the primary six factors of the second half, an 8-2 run pushed Phoenix’s result in 62-47 with 4:39 left within the third quarter.
Indiana lower the result in 73-67 with 5:45 remaining after outscoring Phoenix 8-2.
The Fever had an opportunity to chop extra into the lead, however Copper stole the ball from Hull with 5:02 left.
Indiana made just one shot from the sphere in a span of three:22, permitting Phoenix to go on a 9-2 run and take an 82-69 lead with 2:23 remaining.
Hull made a 3-pointer with 1:10 left, and Mitchell transformed two photographs within the final minute, however the run was too late.
–Subject Stage Media
