Mercury end Liberty streak; teams hit record 33 3s

The Mercury and Liberty combined for 33 3-pointers — the most in a game in WNBA history — as Phoenix snapped New York’s eight-game winning streak with a 99-93 victory Tuesday night at Footprint Center.

The Liberty made 18 3-pointers, tying a single-game team record. Tuesday was the first time since the WNBA began in 1997 that both teams made at least 15 3-pointers in a game. The Mercury took 30 shots from behind the arc (50%) and the Liberty 42 (42.9%).

“That was some high-level stuff, the shot-making,” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said. “For us to stay with it and get the win is a credit to our group.”

Phoenix’s Rebecca Allen led the way in 3-pointers, as she made 5 of 7 and finished with a season-high 17 points, while teammate Diana Taurasi had 4 of 7 from long range and scored 19. Taurasi also had 9 rebounds and 5 assists, her 97th game of at least 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. That’s second in WNBA history to only retired star Candace Parker, who had 121.

“To come out with a win tonight, especially with how many 3s they made, says a lot about the grit of our team,” said Allen, who burned her former team Tuesday. She played seven seasons with the Liberty, then spent last year with Connecticut and is in her first season in Phoenix.

Allen missed five games because of a concussion, but on Tuesday she looked strong on both ends of the court.

“I’m really happy for Bec because she chose us in free agency,” Tibbetts said. “I’m super proud of Bec. It was a hell of a performance by her. We need her with that mentality — just let it fly.”

The Mercury also got help inside from Brittney Griner, who missed their first 10 games because of a toe injury. She returned to action June 7 and has scored in double figures in each of her five games, including 19 points Tuesday. Phoenix has won four of those games and is now 8-7.

Griner being back has made a huge difference for Phoenix, but the story of the night was the perimeter success.

“Honestly, when you’re in [the game], you’re not even focused on the shootout or how many 3s you have,” said Phoenix’s Sophie Cunningham, who hit three shots from behind the arc and finished with 13 points. “We share the ball and have a whole bunch of shooters on the court.”

For the Liberty, Breanna Stewart (game-high 28 points), Sabrina Ionescu (19) and Kayla Thornton (12) each made 4 3-pointers.

“Both coaches would say [our defense] probably wasn’t where it needed to be,” New York coach Sandy Brondello said. “But on both teams, there are wonderful shooters. And so many individual players that attract so much attention, that the 3 was open. We made a few more, but Phoenix shot a better percentage. Especially in the fourth quarter, they made some really big 3s.”