Taurasi’s early ejection opens door for Moore to punish Mercury with 38 points in Lynx win

By Scott Mammoser

PHOENIX- What began as a classic shootout between Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi, turned into pure havoc on Saturday night. Taurasi was ejected with her second technical foul in the mid-second quarter, and security was required to escort her off the court. In response, the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 80-75, in a 43-foul slugfest.

Havoc and ejections led to Lynx win over Mercury 80-75.

The defending champions improved to 14-10, and the Mercury fell to 15-10, as the slimmest of margins now separates the second through seventh seeds in the playoff race. The Lynx has now won nine-consecutive regular season matchups with the Mercury.

“We had stops when we needed to and stayed poised on offense,” said Moore, whose 38 points came on 12-of-28 shooting. “I come in and do whatever I can and stay focused with whatever is needed. We needed every single play, and games are won like that.”

At the end of the first quarter, Moore (18) and Taurasi (12) were outscoring all other players 30-11 and basking in the limelight that occurs when two of the WNBA’s marquee teams collide. Following the Taurasi ejection, DeWanna Bonner responded with 13 points in the second quarter and concluded with 29 in the game. Bonner cut a once 15-point lead to three with three minutes on the clock.

Stephanie Talbot, averaging 1.5 points per game, stole an inbounds pass with 1:10 to play to bring the Mercury within one. Talbot scored 15 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the increased amount of minutes. Danielle Robinson, the Mercury’s point guard of last season, answered right back, and Minnesota closed the deal.

“We’re very proud of her,” Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said of Talbot. “She hasn’t played much all season long. She stepped up and grabbed the opportunity presented to her, with Leilani (Mitchell) not being here (personal reasons), she played the game and was aggressive in the front court. You see what she did. That’s what we need. It’s great to get her going, but we need everybody on the bench.”

In total, the entourage of future Hall of Famers was whistled endlessly. Besides Taurasi, Sylvia Fowles was ejected with six in the third quarter, Brittney Griner had five fouls, Rebekkah Brunson four and Lindsay Whalen three in eight minutes.

Robinson scored 16 for the Lynx, Seimone Augustus had 15 points, and Brunson added to her career league record with 11 rebounds.

The Mercury will face the Chicago Sky at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, while the Lynx hosts the Liberty at 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday night. Minneapolis also plays host to the All-Star Game at 12:30 p.m. PT on July 28, televised on ABC.