Brittney Griner out 3-4 weeks after knee, ankle injuries in Mercury loss

Jul 15, 2017, 11:10 pm

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after being diagnosed with a left knee bruise and a right ankle sprain.

Griner suffered the injuries early in the fourth quarter and had to be helped off the court Friday night in an 88-71 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.

Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus each scored 19 points for the Lynx (14-2), who have won nine straight against Phoenix dating to 2015, including a three-game sweep in last season's playoffs.

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

Diana Taurasi added 14 points for the Mercury.

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 the half.

Phoenix had won four straight.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.