INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Emma Cannon had a career-high 23 points with nine rebounds, Kelsey Mitchell added 21 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Phoenix Mercury 72-71 to spoil Diana Taurasi’s 29-point performance.
Taurasi is now 18 points away from 10,000 career points. Taurasi, who was coming off a season-high 24 points on Sunday, scored 23 of Phoenix’s 43 first-half points after making 8 of 10 shots, including 4 of 6 from distance. Taurasi finished 10 of 16, with five 3-pointers.
“It’s 2023 and people are still trying to guard Diana Taurasi,” Phoenix Mercury on Twitter.
Kelsey Mitchell extended the lead to 70-61 with 5:06 left in the fourth quarter, but the Fever would not score again until Cannon’s shot in the lane with 59.5 seconds left to regain the lead. Cannon had a career-high 23 points with nine rebounds.
Indiana guard Erica Wheeler was off on a 3-pointer and Phoenix took possession with 13.9 seconds left. Taurasi was short on a baseline jumper but Phoenix kept the possession with 6.8 seconds left. Moriah Jefferson got into the paint but her layup didn’t fall and Aliyah Boston secured the rebound.
Indiana (7-19) won at home for just the second time this season. Phoenix (6-19) had its road losing streak extended to 10 straight games.
Wheeler added 13 points and Boston had six points and 11 rebounds for Indiana. Victoria Vivians (non-COVID illness) and NaLyssa Smith (left foot) did not play for Indiana.
Megan Gustafson added 17 points for Phoenix. Brittney Griner missed her second straight road game to focus on her mental health.
St. Thomas’ Aliyah Boston was 3 of 7 from the field for a total of six points in the winning effort.
Phoenix scored 10 unanswered points late in the fourth quarter to take its first lead, 71-70, since it was 30-29 in the second quarter.
Indiana ended a four-game home losing streak with the victory last night. The Fever have won only two games at home all season.
The Indiana Fever play next at 7:00 p.m. EDT at the Connecticut Sun.
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