BRADENTON Fla. (AP) - Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 11 of her 24 points in a decisive third quarter to help the Phoenix Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 94-72 on Friday night.
The game was the last of three in the WNBA bubble Friday after play was postponed the previous two days following the weekend shooting of Jacob Blake. Each quarter started with the team taking the ball getting a 24-second violation to promote social justice and encourage people to fill out a census and register to vote.
Diggins-Smith was 6 of 8 from 3-point rage in her her fifth 20-plus game of the season. Phoenix made 13 of 26 behind the arc, and outscored Washington 61-31 in the second half.
Diana Taurasi added 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists for Phoenix (8-7). Brittney Griner did not play after leaving the WNBA’s bubble last weekend for personal reasons.
Bria Hartley was helped off the floor in the first quarter and did not return for Phoenix. She sat on the bench in the second half with ice on her right knee and crutches by her side.
Leilani Mitchell led Washington (4-10) with 17 points. Myisha Hines-Allen had 14 points and six rebounds, and Tianna Hawkins scored 13.
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