PHOENIX(AP) Diana Taurasi scored 20 points and Tangela Smith added 17 to help the Phoenix Mercury defeated San Antonio 81-72 Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.

Kelly Miller scored 15 points and Kelly Mazzante had 12 for the Mercury, who won their first opener since 2000.

Sophia Young scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for San Antonio, and Becky Hammon had 13 points for the Silver Stars.

Phoenix played its preseason games without starters Taurasi, Penny Taylor and Cappie Pondexter, who were finishing seasons overseas. But it didn't take long for the team to come together.

The Mercury, who set a WNBA record with 87.1 points per game last year, shot 56 percent from the floor in the first half on its way to a 48-28 lead at intermission.

San Antonio led 18-15 midway through the first quarter when the Mercury went on a 15-0 run that began when Miller stole a pass and raced to the other end for a layup. By the time the Silver Stars' Ruth Riley made a basket early in the second quarter, the Mercury led 30-18.

Phoenix cooled in the second half, and the Silver Stars pulled within 73-64 with 3:30 to play but couldn't draw any closer.