LOS ANGELES — Natasha Cloud scored a career-high 31 points, and Kahleah Copper added 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Phoenix Mercury to an 84-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.
Dearica Hamby nailed a step-back 3-pointer with 5:39 remaining to give the Sparks their first lead since early in the game at 70-67. However, Brittney Griner responded with two free throws, and Copper followed with a driving layup to regain the lead for Phoenix.
The teams exchanged leads until Griner, facing a double team, passed out to Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, who made her first career start and drained a crucial wide-open 3-pointer to put Phoenix ahead 78-76 with 1:10 left.
Rickea Jackson tied the game at 78 with a putback at the 41.1-second mark. Cloud then drove into the lane and executed a finger roll seven seconds later. After a missed three-pointer from the Sparks, Cloud secured her career-best ninth rebound, was fouled, and sank both free throws to extend Phoenix’s lead to 82-78 with 23 seconds remaining.
Copper sealed the victory with two free throws, leaving 13 seconds on the clock.
Phoenix (11-10) achieved consecutive road wins for the first time this season. Hamby led the Sparks with 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, while Rickea Jackson scored a career-high 22 points. In her season debut, Stevens, who missed 20 games due to an arm injury sustained overseas, contributed 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block for Los Angeles (5-16).
Phoenix played without Diana Taurasi, who was sidelined due to a leg injury.
