Thursday, September 4 2008 -- Thursday, September 4, 2008 -- On Wednesday, the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Minnesota Lynx, 103-96, in the only game on the schedule that night.

Diana Taurasi had 32 pointts in the game - 19 coming in the second half. Kelly Miller added 20 points. Cappie Pondexter added 18 points, and 14 of those were in the second half.

The Lynx started the game poorly - missing 19 of their first 22 shots, but then came on like a house afire, eventually coming within 4 points of the Phoenix with only a minute to go - but they ran out of energy at the end of the game.

For the Lynx (14-15), Seimone Augustus put in 27. Leading scorer Candice Wiggins was 2-11 shooting and had only 11 points.

Minnesota is now two games behind the Sacramento Monarchs for the fourth and final Western Conference playoff spot. Phoenix, the defending WNBA champions, (13-16) moved within three games of the Monarchs.