Karlie Samuelson's Treys Power Mystics Past Mercury

Mystics Win Sixth Straight With 88-69 Victory

Karlie Samuelson buried five 3-pointers and scored a season-high 23 points to push the visiting Washington Mystics to an 88-69 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday.

The Mystics (15-9) made 12 of 33 attempts from 3-point range, while the Mercury hit just 4 of 22 from behind the arc. Elena Delle Donne scored 18 points, and Natasha Cloud added 17 for Washington.

Brittney Griner returned from a two-game absence due to a sore left knee and led Phoenix (14-10) with 20 points. She grabbed 11 rebounds for her 50th career double-double.

Samuelson Catches Fire From Deep

Samuelson, who was 8 of 18 from the field, scored Washington's first eight points of the third quarter to give the Mystics a 50-37 lead.

She hit back-to-back 3s to give Washington a 58-43 advantage midway through the third.

Samuelson's fifth 3 of the night came with 7:30 left in the fourth quarter and gave the Mystics a 75-57 lead.

Mystics Defense Stifles Mercury

The Mystics held the Mercury to 35.7 percent shooting from the field and forced 14 turnovers.

Phoenix was without Diana Taurasi (hamstring) for the third straight game.

The Mystics have won six straight games and are now two games behind the Las Vegas Aces for first place in the WNBA standings.