By Wyatt Yearout
The Storm dropped its first game of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs, falling to the Mercury by a final margin of 86-66. The Mercury forces Game 4, which will be on Sunday on 2 p.m. PT on ESPN2.
Natasha Howard and Breanna Stewart both posted double-doubles. Howard had 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Stewart recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds.
DEFINING MOMENTS
Phoenix rattled off a 12-2 run early in the first period to gain some initial separation and take a 26-16 lead after one.
The Storm was able to answer the hot start from Phoenix and open the second period on an 11-2 run and take its first lead of the contest at 31-30. However, the Mercury struck right back scoring 10-straight points of its own late in the second period to put the Phoenix lead back to seven after two, at 42-35.
Stewart scored nine points in the first five minutes of the third period alone to help propel the Storm back within three points at 54-51. Phoenix, however, managed to hang on to its small cushion the rest of the quarter and remain up by four points entering the fourth period.
A 14-0 run to open up the period for the Mercury stretched the Phoenix lead to 18 points. Seattle managed to cut the deficit to 13 but couldn’t come any closer, ultimately falling by 20.
UP NEXT
The Storm will look to close out the series over the Mercury on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. PT ESPN2.