Brittney Griner ejected, Mercury win intense 85-81 thriller over Sparks

Brittney Griner was ejected just before halftime and while they were without one of their stars for the remainder of the game, that sparked a third-quarter explosion by the Phoenix Mercury in an 85-81 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday.

Natasha Cloud notched 13 points and 12 assists for her second consecutive double-double in as many games and Sophie Cunningham scored 14 in the win for Phoenix (19-20). Diana Taurasi had 13 points and Kiki Herbert Harrigan came off the bench for 10.

Dearica Hamby showed why she is one of the most underrated players in the WNBA, scoring 21 points and snatching nine rebounds in the injury-riddled Sparks’ (7-32) eighth consecutive loss. Los Angeles was swept by Phoenix in the regular-season series, 4-0.

Sparks snap out of funk, control first half

Inside one of the more iconic venues in basketball history, Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center), the offense was significantly quiet in the first quarter. Getting multiple looks but not making the most of them, the Sparks were 5-for-23 (21.7%) from the field and 2-for-10 (20%) from three while the Mercury were not much better, 0-for-7 from behind the arch and 5-for-16 (31.3%) overall in the frame.

The shots continued to not fall for the Mercury but the Sparks snapped out of their funk beginning in the second quarter with an 8-2 run.

Los Angeles, who were mightily shorthanded with four players out, seemingly had most of what they wanted to go their way. Without Cameron Brink, the second-overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Hamby, Rickea Jackson and Li Yueru combined for 26 first-half points as well as the Sparks dominating in the paint with 26 rebounds compared to just 14 for Phoenix.

“Injuries don’t get talked about enough in our league and all leagues across the board,” Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said. “They’ve had injuries early, they’ve had injuries late. They’re a young team but they got a bright future. They’re going to get a top-3 pick with really good players coming in the draft, they’ve signed some players to extensions. They are going to have a solid core and a bright future moving ahead.”

Griner ejected after scuffle, Mercury fed off of high intensity

Just before the half concluded, the game quickly got heated.

After a free throw by Mercury rookie Celeste Taylor, Griner bumped into Jackson before the Sparks forward took exception. Jackson started arguing with Griner and both tried to push each other during a physical altercation, resulting in them having to be separated.

The two kept jawing at each other from their teams’ benches and after an official review, both received double technical fouls and were ejected. Jackson scored eight points and Griner had 14 before their nights were abruptly over.

Using the intense energy as fuel going into the second half, Phoenix outscored L.A. 28-10 in the third quarter.

“Just being able to stay locked in and get that win for her [Griner] was great, and we have been trying to lock in, especially after halftime. I thought we did a great job of that tonight,” Herbert Harrigan said.

Taking over the center position for Griner, Natasha Mack stepped up and pitched in with nine points, two rebounds, one steal, one rebound and a career-high four blocks.

“Mack has been really good all year,” Tibbetts said. “She said she couldn’t get a rebound tonight but she blocked some shots. I love what Mack brings to our team. She plays differently from BG which is good, you need to have players with different skill sets and she continues to get better. Her professionalism is very impressive.”

Trailing by 10 points 64-54, Los Angeles clawed back with a 10-0 stretch in the fourth quarter. Hamby, a 3×3 basketball bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA, was the Sparks’ most dangerous player with her elite shooting prowess and relentless effort when attacking inside the paint.

L.A. got within single digits and showed no quit before the Mercury hunkered down and adjusted defensively. Herbert Harrigan made a crucial 3-pointer with 1:38 left in the game amidst a late push by the Sparks, icing the win 85-81.

With no Griner for the remainder of the game and Kahleah Copper (Back), Rebecca Allen (Right Hamstring) and Charisma Osborne (Lower Left Leg) sidelined with injuries, Taurasi sat in the fourth quarter but looked at a win like this as a chance to build chemistry with the playoffs nearing.

“We are in an interesting position where we are locked in at seven. You can approach it where these games don’t count as far as standings and positioning for us, but we are a team that has only been around each other for a couple of months,” Taurasi said. “Only been on the court with Tash [Cloud] for three months and Kah, Sophie and BG. We are still trying to find a rhythm, trying to find things that work for us, trying to incorporate new faces with Celeste and Kiki and Mack. There is still an opportunity to get better every single night. That’s what we are trying to do before going into the playoffs.”

Next Games

Mercury: Home vs. Seattle Storm (24-15) | Sept. 19 | 7 p.m. PT

Sparks: Away at Minnesota Lynx (30-9) | Sept. 19 | 5 p.m. PT