The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a deal to acquire Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun.

DeWanna Bonner scored 20 points, Rebecca Allen added 18 and the Connecticut Sun played stellar defense to beat the New York Liberty 78-63 in the first game of their WNBA semifinals series.

Brittney Griner had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the Phoenix Mercury set a WNBA record for points in a quarter with 45 in the first before holding off the short-handed Connecticut Sun down the stretch for a 90-84 win.

The New York Liberty traded for 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones as part of a three-team deal with the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings.

Kahleah Copper scored 20 points and Courtney Vandersloot added 16 to help Chicago to a record rout of New York 100-62 to even the first-round WNBA playoffs series and force a decisive Game 3.

Australian basketball star Lauren Jackson is making a comeback after retiring six years ago.