NEW YORK (AP) – Kiah Stokes scored a career-high 23 points and added 14 rebounds to help the New York Liberty beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-72 on Sunday.

It’s the second straight game that Stokes has had had a career high in points and finished with a double-double. Shavonte Zellous added 21 points, and Tina Charles had 16 for New York (4-3). The Liberty are 2-1 on their five-game homestand.

Brittney Griner scored 26 points, and Diana Taurasi added 17 for Phoenix (4-3).

The Liberty built a 14-point lead in the first half before the Mercury chipped away. New York led 56-54 midway through the third quarter before outscoring Phoenix 16-9 the rest of the period. Zellous had seven points during that run to close the period, including getting it started with a three-point play. Phoenix could only get within nine in the fourth quarter.

The teams played on May 23 in Phoenix and the Liberty came away with a two-point win. Taurasi was suspended for the game for a foul she committed in the game before.

Stokes helped the Liberty jump out to a 33-20 lead before Griner got going offensively to bring the Mercury within 47-41 at the half. Stokes finished the opening 20 minutes with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Griner had 19 first-half points.

TIP-INS:

Mercury: Taurasi had on her shoes ”DT” and ”3”, fitting now that she’s the WNBA career leader in 3-pointers made, passing Liberty assistant coach Katie Smith in her last game. Sunday was Smith’s 43rd birthday. … Griner failed to block a shot for the first time since June 27, 2016 She is still tied for eighth on the career blocks list with Taj McWilliams Franklin (443).

Liberty: New York signed Chelsea Hopkins on Saturday to bolster the guard spot while Epiphanny Prince and Kia Vaughn are fulfilling their national team duties in the 2017 EuroBasket tournament. … The last time the Liberty won consecutive games was July 17-20, 2016, against Connecticut and Washington.

UP NEXT:

Mercury: finish off a three-game trip in Indiana on Wednesday.

Liberty: hosts Atlanta in a day game Wednesday.