Portland’s Carla Leite scores 23 points as the Portland Fire rally to beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-85 in a game that features halftime and postgame ceremonies honoring former Mercury star Diana Taurasi. The Fire take a close lead late, moving ahead 81-80 with 1:12 remaining after Leite delivers the final two baskets in a 6-0 run.
After Leite’s late surge, Phoenix and Portland trade baskets. Emily Engstler and Kahleah Copper exchange scores as the game tightens in the final minute. Katie Lou Samuelson then makes the second of two free throws with 20 seconds left to put Portland up 84-82. The Mercury’s celebration of Taurasi is noted by outlets as taking place while their team falls short by three points.
Both reports describe the same final score and key late-game turning points, including Leite’s finishing stretch and Samuelson’s final free throw.
