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SPORTS Tuesday 4 sepTember 2018
Griner, Mercury rally to beat Storm, force deciding Game 5

PHOENIX (AP) — Four times “It’s the team that shows a the ball to Stewart at the
this postseason, the Phoe- lot of heart in every single end but she couldn’t get
nix Mercury have faced one of these games,” Gri- a shot off against Griner’s
elimination. ner said. “Doing whatever it defense.
They’ve won all four and is, whoever it is at the time. “The initial play we wanted
now it’s on to Seattle for At different points of time to run kind of broke down
another one. different people step up early,” Stewart said, “and
Brittney Griner provided and make big plays, hustle then we were just playing
the deciding offense and plays. I think that’s what’s on the fly. Being under the
necessary defense in the giving us that edge right basket with B.G. on you is
final seconds as the Mer- now.” a tough shot. Still, I should
cury beat the Seattle Storm Griner had 29 points and 12 have gotten a shot off just
86-84 on Sunday to force a rebounds and DeWanna because it was the last play
deciding Game 5 in their Bonner scored 21 of her 27 of the game.”
WNBA semifinal series. in the second half. Griner noted she’d fouled
The 6-foot-9 center scored Game 5 will be Tuesday Stewart on a 3-point shot a
on a short hook shot with night in Seattle. Diana Tau- few moments earlier.
14.1 seconds to play then rasi, who had 16 points, is Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) is guarded by Seat- “I had to do something to
prevented Breanna Stew- 13-0 in her WNBA playoff tle Storm's Sami Whitcomb (33) and Natasha Howard as she tries make it up,” she said. “We
to drive to the basket during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA
art from getting a shot career in winner-take-all basketball semifinals playoff game, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, in knew the ball was going to
off before the buzzer as games. Phoenix. go to into Stewart’s hands
the Mercury rallied from The other semifinal se- Associated Press and we had to play de-
a 17-point deficit to beat ries, between Atlanta and fense, don’t foul, try not to
the Storm in Phoenix for the Washington, also has gone will play in Game 5. lost by two points.’” let her score and tie it up to
second straight time. to a Game 5. “I think they lost their lead- Stewart, the WNBA’s MVP, go to overtime. ... I stayed
The Mercury had to survive The Storm lost Sue Bird with er,” Bonner said. “However, led Seattle with 22 points. there and kept my hands
single-elimination games a broken nose with 4:23 left for her going out, they still Griner’s winning basket up high.” Phoenix trailed by
against Dallas and Con- in the third quarter when played great basketball. came after Bonner missed 17 in the first half, 16 early
necticut just to get to the she took an accidental el- They were still making shots. and Phoenix’s Camille Little in the second and still was
Storm, then fell down 0-2 bow to the face from Stew- ... They lost a big part of their grabbed the rebound. Little down 69-57 after Stewart
with a pair of losses in Se- art. Bird, who has broken puzzle but they still played got the ball to Griner, who sank a 19-footer with 1:27
attle. her nose five times, said she great basketball. They only scored. The Storm worked left in the third quarter. q