The Phoenix Mercury has won against defending champions Minnesota Lynx 96-78 in the decisive game of the Western Conference finals.

Diana Taurasi led Mercury with 31 points to win the Western Conference title and advance to the WNBA Finals on Tuesday night.

Phoenix took an early lead behind Taurasi and Brittney Griner in the first quarter ending with a 7 point lead 28-21.

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Minnesota got to within a point at the second quarter of play after Monica Wright draws a foul from Penny Taylor of Phoenix and completed a three-point play at the foul line, 35-34, but Mercury rallied to end the half 50-42.

Maya More of the Lynx tied the score at 67-all off of an assist from Lindsay Whalen but Taurasi scored back-to-back with a 21-foot jump shot and a 50-foot buzzer beater to end the third quarter 72-67.

The fourth quarter was all Phoenix as they pulled away to reach the finals of the WNBA for the first time after winning the crown five years ago.

Taurasi also made 5 rebounds, 7 assists and is 12 of 17 from the field. Griner scored an additional 22 points for Mercury while Seimone Augustus led Minnesota with 21 points followed by Whalen with 20.

Minnesota was making Phoenix uncomfortable after the deadlock score late in the third quarter but Mercury turned it around after a couple of plays including the 50-foot shot from Taurasi.

"I don't think I have made one all year," Taurasi said. "I'll miss them all year to make that one."

"There is no player in the world I would rather have on my team," said Mercury coach Sandy Brondello of Taurasi.

"We just had an aggressive mentality tonight," Brondello added.

Phoenix will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals, Indiana Fever or the Chicago Sky who will be playing Game 3 of their best-of-3 series in Indianapolis on Wednesday.

TagsDiana Taurasi, brittney griner, phoenix mercury, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus