Griner’s dunk helps Mercury to win

SEATTLE - Brittney Griner had her ninth career dunk and matched Diana Taurasi with 25 points to help the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Friday night.

Griner has three more dunks than all the other players in WNBA history combined. She was 9 of 14 from the field.

Camille Little spun in the lane for a layup to extend Phoenix’s lead to 83-78 with 2:56 left and, after a Seattle miss, Danielle Robinson split two defenders for a seven-point lead.

Seattle’s Jewell Loyd was fouled on a drive with 32.5 seconds left and hit two free throws to pull to 85-82. After an offensive foul on Taurasi, Seattle lost control of it and a jump ball was called with 5.6 seconds left.

Seattle won the tip and called timeout with 3.6 seconds left, but Sami Whitcomb’s long 3pointer didn’t hit the rim.

Taurasi made four 3pointers and scored 19 points in the first half as Phoenix (7-5) held a 5043 lead. She finished 6 of 17 from distance,

Breanna Stewart led Seattle (6-6) with 21 points and eight rebounds. Jewell Loyd added 18 points, and Langhorne had 16. Mercury 85, Storm 82

PHOENIX (85) Griner 9-14 7-8 25, Little 3-8 0-0 6, Robinson 5-9 0-0 10, Talbot 2-3 0-0 5, Taurasi 7-21 5-5 25, Cannon 0-1 0-0 0, George 0-1 0-0 0, Mitchell 2-6 1-1 5, Murphy 0-0 0-0 0, Turner 4-6 0-0 9. Totals 32-69 13-14 85.

SEATTLE (82) Bird 5-13 1-1 14, Clark 2-4 0-0 5, Langhorne 8-13 0-1 16, Loyd 6-14 4-4 18, Stewart 5-9 9-12 21, Quinn 1-2 0-0 3, Swords 0-0 2-2 2, Tokashiki 0-1 0-0 0, Whitcomb 1-3 1-2 3. Totals 2859 17-22 82. Phoenix 22 28 23 12 — 85 Seattle 21 22 24 15 — 82 3-Point Goals—Phoenix 8-25 (Taurasi 6-17, Talbot 1-1, Turner 1-2, Mitchell 0-2, Little 0-3), Seattle 9-22 (Bird 3-8, Loyd 2-4, Stewart 2-4, Quinn 1-2, Clark 1-2, Whitcomb 0-2). Fouled Out—Langhorne, Little. Rebounds—Phoenix 31 (Griner 9), Seattle 25 (Stewart 8). Assists—Phoenix 13 (Taurasi 4), Seattle 19 (Bird 8). Total Fouls—Phoenix 25, Seattle 21. Technicals—Phoenix defensive three second, Phoenix team. A—7,796 (17,072).