Los Angeles Sparks Triumph Over Phoenix Mercury in Epic Overtime Thriller

The Phoenix Mercury #3 Diana Taurasi (G) is getting a screen by her teammate #40 Brittney Grinner (C) at the Footprint Center Arena. Photo by Jared Dubose/TGSportstv1

PHOENIX, -- The Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks met on the court for what promised to be an exciting matchup, and the fans got their money's worth in a thriller as the Mercury lost 99-93 in overtime.

The Mercury had five players scoring in double digits, with Brittney Griner leading the way with 24 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals, Diana Taurasi added 19 points and recorded five assists, bringing her within 234 points of becoming the first player in WNBA history to reach 10,000 career points.

The other player in double figures was Sophie Cunningham also had a standout game, scoring a season-high 19 points, Sug Sutton with 12 points, and Michaela Onyenwere with 10 points.

Despite the strong performances from the Mercury, turnovers proved costly as they turned the ball 21 times, resulting in 20 points for the Sparks.

The Sparks led 6-0 in the first quarter with a jump shot by Nneka Ogwumike. Phoenix would trailed 9-5 with a three-pointer by Taurasi. The Mercury got their first lead, 14-13, when Sug Sutton came off the bench and scored on a layup.

Los Angeles Sparks #4 Lexi Brown (G) driving to the basket for a left-handed layup. Photo by Jared Dubose/TGSportstv1.

Lexi Brown would drive to the basket for a layup to give the Sparks a one-point lead, 17-16. The Mercury trailed 22-20 at the end of the quarter after Shey Peddy fouled on her three-point shot and made two of her three free throws.

Michaela Onyenwere played great off the bench, making big shots to keep the Mercury from being blown out, and would tie the game 32-32 with a three-point shot.

Griner, the Mercury's star player, struggled to score, but Cunningham delivered a crafty ball fake, and a euro step scored and tied the game 44-44 at halftime off a Sparks turnover.

The Phoenix Mercury #42 Brittney Griner (C) going up strong over the Los Angeles Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike (F) for a layup. Photo by Jared Dubose/TGSportstv1.

In the third quarter, the Mercury led 46-44 with a jump shot by Griner. Nneka Ogwumike would tie the game 46-46 with two free throws.

Griner was into the flow of their offense and went up for a layup to give Phoenix a 58-55 lead with 5:18 left in the quarter.

The Sparks would regain the lead 59-58 with a layup by Dearica Hamby. The Mercury would lead at the end of the third quarter, 67-65, thanks to a layup from Cunningham and two free throws by Griner.

Phoenix led 69-65 in the fourth quarter with a layup by Sutton. The Sparks would retake the lead 71-69 with a layup by Brown. Diana Taurasi gave the Mercury an 84-81 lead with a jump shot with 1:26 left in the game.

The Sparks would tie the game 84-84 with a three-pointer by Jordin Canada. With 21.2 seconds, Griner would make two free throws to give Phoenix a 86-84 lead. Brown would send the game into overtime 86-86 with a driving layup.

Los Angeles took the first lead in overtime, 88-86, with a driving layup by Layshia Clarendon. Taurasi gave the Mercury a one-point lead, 91-90, with her three-point shot. However, Phoenix's lead didn't last long after Nneka Ogwumike's layup gave the lead back to the Sparks 92-91.

The Sparks, with 42.0 seconds left in overtime, led by six points, 97-91, after Jordan Canada knocked down a jump shot. Clarendon would make two free throws to help secure their 99-93 win on the road and head back to Los Angeles, improving their record to 2-2.

Brown led the Sparks in scoring with 26 points, Nneka Ogwumike with a double-double scored 21 points, 12 rebounds, and Canada with 16 points. The Sparks will play their next game on Saturday at home against the Seattle Storm