By Wyatt Yearout
The Seattle Storm will aim for the series sweep against the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Semifinals on Friday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Tip-off for Game 3 is set for 7 p.m./PT.
HOME TEAM: Phoenix Mercury
VISITING TEAM: Seattle Storm
TIP-OFF: 7 p.m./PT
SERIES COUNT: Seattle Leads Series 2-0
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can watch the game on ESPNews or NBA TV Simulcast, with live stats available at StormBasketball.com. Live updates will also be provided on Twitter by following @SeattleStorm.
LAST TIME OUT
The Storm avoided another late comeback attempt by Mercury in Game 2, defeating Phoenix in overtime, 91-87.
Breanna Stewart led the way once again for the Storm with 27 points on 10 made field goals, while Sue Bird tallied 19 points and dished out six dimes. Bird also had the go-ahead basket in overtime with 1:03 remaining, as the Storm closed the extra period with a 10-2 run to seal it.
POSTSEASON SERIES HISTORY
The Storm defeated the Mercury in Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals on Aug. 26. Stewart, the 2018 WNBA MVP, led the way for Seattle with a playoff career-high 28 points and seven rebounds. Bird added a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.
Seattle is now 5-5 all-time against the Phoenix Mercury in postseason play. The last time Seattle won a playoff series was in 2010 against Atlanta, when the Storm swept the Dream en route to winning its second WNBA championship.
The Storm won both games played in Phoenix during the regular season. Seattle defeated the Mercury 102-91 on July 31 and 87-71 on May 23.
PHOENIX IN GAME 2
Once down as much as 19, the Mercury rallied in the fourth quarter led by Diana Taurasi to send the game to overtime. Taurasi posted a team-high 28 points and nine assists to lead the way for Phoenix.
Brittney Griner posted 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. DeWanna Bonner registered 21 points and nine rebounds as well.
UP NEXT
Seattle will lock up a trip to the WNBA Finals with a victory on Friday. If Seattle loses, Game 4 of the WNBA Semifinals will be played on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Talking Stick Resort Arena.