Griner’s dunk, Taurasi’s OT explosion help Mercury even WNBA Finals against Sky | CBC Sports

“I mean BG was so big for us the whole game,” Taurasi said. “She’s just incredible. She kept us in the game when we weren’t playing well.”

Taurasi opened overtime with a four-point play and added a 3-pointer that put Phoenix up 89-86 with 1:24 left. She then came up with a huge defensive play, getting a steal with 36 seconds left.

WATCH | Griner’s dunk ignites Mercury:

Brittney Griner throws down dunk during Game 2 of WNBA Finals

Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner with a slam dunk against the Chicago Sky during the first quarter of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. 0:29

Skylar Diggins-Smith, who had 13 points and 12 assists, sealed it on a layup with 12.8 seconds left.

“In overtime we let it rip,” Taurasi said. “We talked to each other and said it will be our best five minutes of basketball and it happened.”

Vandersloot led the Sky with 20 points and 14 assists. Allie Quigley added 19 points.

Game 3 is Friday in Chicago.

WATCH | Mercury outlast Sky in OT:

Mercury even WNBA Finals with overtime victory over Sky

Phoenix beats Chicago 91-86 in overtime to tie the WNBA Finals at 1-1. 0:49

Chicago overcame some early jitters and took advantage of the short-handed and fatigued to win Game 1 91-77. Candace Parker was a calming influence while scoring 16 points and Kahleah Copper scored 21 points.

Phoenix was without guards Kia Nurse (torn ACL) and Sophie Cunningham (calf), and had to play two days after clinching its semifinal series in Las Vegas.

The Mercury had more prep time and Cunningham back in the lineup after missing three games, but was disjointed early.

WATCH | Sky roll to Game 1 win:

Sky blow out Mercury in Game 1 of WNBA Finals

Kahleah Copper led Chicago with 21 points and ten rebounds en route to their 91-77 victory over Phoenix to take a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals. 0:33

Chicago, one of the WNBA’s top offensive teams, was at its free-flowing best, its crisp passing setting up open looks. The Sky knocked ’em down early, hitting 7 of their first 12 shots to take an early nine-point lead.

Phoenix went to Griner early and often. The 6-foot-9 centre delivered with an early dunk after the Sky inexplicably left her alone in the lane, bringing the Suns players to their feet, and had 14 points by halftime.

Cunningham hit a pair of 3-pointers to bring the Mercury back from the early deficit and hit another after a wicked crossover to help Phoenix pull even at 40-all at halftime.

Chicago revved up its offence again to start the third quarter, building a seven-point lead. Phoenix countered by getting the ball back in to Griner to help the Mercury surge back into the lead in the fourth quarter.