Phoenix Mercury's second-half not enough in loss to Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

With six available players, Kahleah Copper and the Phoenix Mercury made it an interesting fourth quarter against the Indiana Fever on Friday night in Indianapolis.

Down by 20 points at the half and playing without starting center Brittney Griner, the Mercury roared back with a 21-2 run in the second half.

However, the Fever made key stops down the stretch and only allowed the Mercury to get within four points as the Fever pulled away with a 95-86 win in Indianapolis.

Copper scored 20 of the Mercury’s 28 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 36 points on 11-of-25 shooting. Sophie Cunningham added 21 points and was 5-for-9 on 3-pointers.

Without Griner, who left in the second quarter with a right hip injury, the Mercury were outsized on the boards and lost the rebounding battle, 42-30. Mercury forward Natasha Mack did well in her increased role with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 28 points, while three of her teammates had double-doubles. Caitlin Clark recorded 20 points and 13 assists, Aliyah Boston scored 21 points and 13 rebounds, and NaLyssa Smith had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Griner injured in first half vs. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

The injury list continued to grow for the Phoenix Mercury against the Indiana Fever on Friday as center Brittney Griner will not return for the second half.

Phoenix was down 55-35 at halftime. In the first half, Griner fell hard from a collision at 6:38 in the second quarter. She did not return for the rest of the quarter and was diagnosed with a right hip injury.

Along with Griner, the Mercury are playing without several key players, including shooting guard Diana Taurasi, point guard Natasha Cloud, and guards Sug Sutton and Charisma Osborne.

Kahleah Copper led the shorthanded Mercury with 13 points at the half.

The Mercury struggled in the first half, going 12-for-36 (33.3%). The Fever have taken advantage of Griner's absence shooting 23-for-39 (59.0%). Caitlin Clark has been all over the floor, dishing out nine assists and 15 points. The Fever's Kelsey Mitchell leads all scorers with 17 points.

Mercury star Diana Taurasi ruled out for matchup with Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Fans hoping for a rematch between Diana Taurasi and Caitlin Clark will have to wait.

The Phoenix Mercury star has been ruled out for Friday’s contest with the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis.

Taurasi has been dealing with a left lower leg issue and was ruled out for the third straight game. Her absence prompted the Mercury to sign guard Celeste Taylor, a second-round pick by the Fever this year.

Taylor appeared in five games with the Fever this season and averaged 3.2 minutes. At Ohio State, she averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Clark and Taurasi lived up to the hype when the two first faced each other June 30 in Phoenix.

Taurasi recorded 19 points, three assists, three steals and was the second-leading scorer for the Mercury.

Playing against her idol, Clark was one rebound shy of a triple-double, racking up 15 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.

No bad blood: Caitlin Clark, Diana Taurasi squash beef at Mercury loss to Fever

If Taurasi is healthy, the next time the two could face each other is at the July 20 All-Star Game in Phoenix. Taurasi and Team USA will play Clark and Team WNBA.

The Mercury will see the Fever in Indianapolis on Aug. 16 after the Olympic break.

The Mercury and Fever are set for a 4:30 p.m. tipoff at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a matchup televised on ION.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Mercury's second-half not enough in loss to Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever