Phoenix advances to finals

PHOENIX – Diana Taurasi had 31 points, including a 50-footer at the end of the third quarter, to lead the Phoenix Mercury to a 96-78 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night, putting the Mercury into the WNBA Finals.

Taurasi scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to give Phoenix an 80-67 lead with 7:19 left. Minnesota had eliminated Phoenix in the 2011 and 2013 en route to winning the title.

The Mercury, which had the best record in the league, will face the winner of tonight’s Chicago-Indiana game.

Minnesota missed its first 10 shots of the fourth period.