Sparks take down Mercury 89-87
Reporting from PHOENIX — Chelsea Gray scored 24 points and tied her career high with eight assists to help the Sparks beat the Phoenix Mercury 89-87 on Saturday night.
Candace Parker finished with 14 points, Nneka Ogwumike added 13, and Essence Carson and Alana Beard scored 12 apiece for Los Angeles (5-3). Beard added a late steal that helped seal the win.
Brittney Griner’s short hook shot pulled the Mercury (5-4) within two points with 2:03 to play and neither team scored again until Parker hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with 47 seconds left to make it 87-82. Diana Taurasi answered with two free throws but, after Gray missed a shot on the other end, Beard stole a pass from Leilani Mitchell and was immediately fouled by Taurasi. Beard made the second of two free throws to give the Sparks an 88-84 lead. Taurasi hit a quick 3 to make it a one-point game but, after Gray made 1 of 2 free throws, Taurasi’s potential winning shot from just inside half court fell short as time expired.
Taurasi led Phoenix with 27 points, including six 3-pointers. Griner added 21 points and nine rebounds.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
