In an impressive defensive performance, the Mercury improved to 14-7 with a 73-66 win over the visiting Minnesota Lynx.

Phoenix is now the only team in the WNBA without a loss following the All-Star break and trails the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference by just one game.

In the win, the Mercury extended their current winning streak to five games – the longest active winning streak in the WNBA and just one win shy of their season-long six-game winning streak earlier this season (June 30 – July 14).

Perhaps more significantly, it’s the third consecutive win for the Mercury over the Lynx at US Airways Center.

“They have the best record in the league,” Sandy Brondello said. “We knew that it would have to be 40 minutes and it was a game of runs. Momentum changed as we scored seven points in the second quarter and then we had a pretty solid third quarter. We buckled down and executed when we needed to but both ends of the floor we got stopped. It was a great team effort so I’m happy with the result.”

Here are the takeaways from #MercVsLynx:

Marta Xargay Has Arrived  

Mercury guard Marta Xargay ended tonight’s game with 15 points going 6-for-7 from the field (85.7-percent) including a perfect 3-for-3 from three point range. This sets a new career high for her.

Indeed, her eruption on the offensive end of the floor came at the perfect time for the Mercury.

“I’ve known Marta for a long time and I knew that’s what she could really bring to the team,” Brondello added. “She is a pick and roll player and we really don’t have a lot. She gave us the spark that we needed — making shots. It was her night tonight, she really got us back into the game. Once we got that momentum, it came in our favor and you build a lot of confidence in that. It was a great game- having to be out for two weeks. She was a little fatigued near the end but she fought. She is a great addition to our team. I look forward to having her healthy and getting some better chemistry after all the plays down the stretch.”

Griner Finding Her Groove    

As Brittney Griner continues to find her rhythm with this specific Mercury squad, her numbers are rapidly improving on both ends of the floor.

BG finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in their win over the Lynx, marking her fifth double-double of the season, her second consecutive and her third in four games.

Additionally, Griner surpassed Diana Taurasi’s 271 career blocks to become the leading shot blocker in Phoenix Mercury history. Griner got her 272nd block at the 5:51 mark of the third quarter against Sylvia Fowles. BG now has a total of 274 blocks. More significantly, Griner was able to record those 274 blocks in 76 career games. Taurasi has 334 career games with the Mercury.

Winning With Defense

The Lynx finished the game shooting 44.8 percent from the field – certainly a respectable mark.

However, that number doesn’t tell the entire story. Minnesota shot 52.1-percent (25-of-48) through three quarters, but only shot 26.3-percent (5-of-19) in the fourth quarter. The Mercury held the Lynx to 16 points or less twice (16 – second quarter, 10 – fourth quarter).

“I think that is what we have been doing since we came back from All Star break,” DeWanna Bonner said of the team’s improved defense. “Even though we had those come back wins in the second half, I think we buckled down on defense when we needed to. Brittney had some great, massive blocks and that got the crowd going.”

Only Maya Moore (17) and Sylvia Fowles (11) finished in double-figures for the Lynx.

Phoenix is currently 9-2 at home this season and Minnesota, New York and Chicago as the only teams in the league with just two losses at home.