Brittney Griner scored 22 points, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Kia Nurse each added 14 and Phoenix used a big third quarter to beat the Indiana Fever 87-65 on Saturday for the Mercury’s eighth straight victory.
Phoenix closed the third quarter on a 18-0 run, highlighted by Sophie Cunningham’s two 3-pointers in 12 seconds, to build a 76-53 lead. Indiana was held to just nine points in the quarter, while Phoenix scored 36.
Phoenix was 1 of 11 from distance in the first half, but made 11 of 11 free throws to stay within 44-40. The Mercury made 7 of 8 3-pointers in the third to take control.
Griner made her fifth career 3-pointer, in her 13th 20-point game this season, and Brianna Turner grabbed 11 rebounds for Phoenix (17-10). Diana Taurasi was 1 for 6 from the field in 23 minutes.
WATCH l Kia Nurse’s big 3rd quarter helps Phoenix Mercury rally to 8th straight win:
![](https://thumbnails.cbc.ca/maven_legacy/thumbnails/1001/658/Nurse.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:* 510w")
Kia Nurse of Hamilton, Ont., scored 9 of her 14 points in the third quarter, as the Phoenix Mercury went on an 18-0 run to defeat the Indiana Fever 87-65 for their eighth straight victory. 1:51
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (6-20) with 18 points. Tiffany Mitchell added 17.
Kelsey Mitchell scored eight consecutive Indiana points in the first quarter, and she finished the half with 14.
Bring It In: Discussing mandatory vaccine passports as fans return to stadiums:
![](https://thumbnails.cbc.ca/maven_legacy/thumbnails/324/983/VACCINEPASSPORTS_THUMB.png?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:* 510w")
With fans returning to stadiums across Canada, host Morgan Campbell discusses the enforcement of mandatory vaccination in stadiums across the country with panellists Meghan McPeak and Dave Zirin. 7:44
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