PHOENIX —
Kahleah Copper scored 11 of her 24 points in the third quarter, Diana Taurasi had 20 points, five three-pointers and six assists, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Sparks 92-78 on Friday night.
Copper scored 10 points in the opening six minutes of the second half to help Phoenix build a 63-55 lead.
Sophie Cunningham made a wide open three-pointer to begin Phoenix’s 7-1 run that ended in a 72-62 lead at the end of the third. The Mercury opened the fourth on an 8-2 spurt to extend their lead to 80-64.
Natasha Cloud highlighted the fourth with a full-court pass to find Copper in stride for a layup and an 87-70 lead.
Brittney Griner had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Cloud added 14 points and seven assists for Phoenix (9-8).
Dearica Hamby tied a career high with 29 points for the Sparks (4-14), who wrapped up a winless seven-game trip. Rickea Jackson added 14 points and Aari McDonald had 12 points and 10 assists.
Hamby made her first four three-pointers to set a career high for makes in a game. She finished the half with 21 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, to help the Sparks lead 45-44. Taurasi made four of her five 3-pointers in the first half and paced Phoenix with 16 points.