PHOENIX — — Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi scored 20 points each and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 83-80 on Thursday night.
Natasha Cloud added 14 points and 10 assists and Sophie Cunningham scored 13 for the Mercury (3-1).
Ariel Atkins had 16 points to lead Washington (0-5), which has lost five straight games to open the season for the first time since the 2007 team started 0-8. Julie Vanloo scored 13 and Shakira Austin and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 11 points each.
After Austin made two free throws that gave Washington a 46-45 lead with 8:32 left in the third quarter, Taurasi was fouled while making a layup and made the free throw before hitting a 3-pointer to spark a 15-0. Phoenix Race.
Cloud found Natasha Mack for a short jumper, made 4 of 4 from the free throw line, then set up a 3-pointer from Cunningham that capped the run and gave the Mercury a 60-46 lead.
Walker-Kimbrough scored a 3-pointer to end the Mystics’ five-plus minute drought. It was Washington’s first basket since Stefanie Dolson made a 3-pointer 14 seconds into the second half.
Brittney Griner (foot) did not play for the Mercury.
Phoenix, which made 16 3-pointers Tuesday in a 98-88 victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, has won three straight. The Mercury lost their season opener, 89-80 to Las Vegas, and responded with their longest winning streak since June 2022.
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