Moore, Augustus Power Lynx To Win Over Mercury

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PHOENIX (AP) — Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus each scored 19 points, and the Minnesota Lynx built a big first-half lead in coasting to an 88-71 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.

Phoenix star Brittney Griner was helped off the court early in the fourth quarter with injuries to her left knee and right ankle. She is expected to miss three to four weeks.

Minnesota (14-2) has won nine straight against Phoenix dating to 2015, including a three-game sweep in last season's playoffs.

(credit: Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

Sylvia Fowles added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Lynx. They shot 52 percent and held Phoenix (11-7) to 36 percent.

Griner led the Mercury with 15 points, and Diana Taurasi had 14.

Renee Montgomery hit a jumper with 5:50 left in the first to give Minnesota a 9-8 lead and the Lynx led the rest of the way. Augustus' jumper at the buzzer made it 23-13 after one, a lead that Minnesota pushed to 17 at halftime.

Phoenix had won four straight. Griner had tests and was evaluated by team physicians, the Mercury said. She was diagnosed with a bone bruise to her left knee and a sprained right ankle.