Brittney Griner, Phoenix earn 1st win of WNBA season 90-81; make 13 3-pointers vs Lynx

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Phoenix Mercury forward Brianna Turner (21) and center Brittney Griner (42) defend against Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, left, drives against Minnesota Lynx forward Diamond Miller (1) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. The Mercury won 90-81. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) shoots over Minnesota Lynx forward Diamond Miller (1) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. The Mercury won 90-81. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury guard Sug Sutton, middle, drives between Minnesota Lynx center Nikolina Milic, left, and forward Aerial Powers during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. The Mercury won 90-81. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) is fouled by Minnesota Lynx guard Tiffany Mitchell, left, during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) keeps the ball away from Minnesota Lynx guard Tiffany Mitchell (25) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. The Mercury won 90-81. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury guard Moriah Jefferson, left, and Minnesota Lynx forward Jessica Shepard, right, compete for possession of the ball during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. The Mercury won 90-81. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, left, celebrates a score by guard Diana Taurasi (3) during the second half of the team’s WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. The Mercury won 90-81. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) celebrates her score against the Minnesota Lynx with Sophie Cunningham, right, and Michaela Onyenwere, left, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. The Mercury won 90-81. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) shoots over Minnesota Lynx forward Jessica Shepard (10) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX (AP) — Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury earned their first win of the WNBA season with a 90-81 victory against the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night.

Diana Taurasi had 23 points and 10 assists, while Griner added 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Phoenix, which finished with 13 3-pointers, hit 11 of 17 3s in the first half for a 57-40 lead. Taurasi had three triples and 15 points at the break.

The 40-year-old Taurasi finished 4 of 9 from 3-point range, giving her 1,300 3s and extending her WNBA record. Sue Bird is second with 1,001.

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Aerial Powers paced the Lynx (0-3) with 20 points off the bench. Jessica Shepherd and Diamond Miller had 13 points each and Tiffany Mitchell added 12.

For Phoenix, Sug Sutton had 14 off the bench and Moriah Jefferson and Sophie Cunningham each scored 13 points with three 3-pointers.

The Mercury finished 13 of 28 behind the arc, while the Lynx were 3 of 18. Phoenix went 5 of 6 from 3-point range — with triples from five different players — to open a 27-18 lead after one quarter.

Minnesota came within seven twice late in the third quarter. The Mercury finished 21 of 23 from the free-throw line.

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