Phoenix, AZ -- (Sports Network) - Diana Taurasi scored a game-high 26 points and had eight rebounds to lead the Phoenix Mercury to an 81-69 win over the Sacramento Monarchs.

Cappie Pondexter added 19 points and five assists for the Mercury, who have won two in a row. Phoenix also got eight points and seven assists from Kelly Miller, and Le'coe Willingham chipped in nine points off the bench as the Mercury avoided elimination from the playoff race.

Kara Lawson scored 19 points for the Monarchs, who are clinging onto the fourth playoff spot in the Western Conference. They lead idle Houston and Minnesota by 1 1/2 games, and are in front of Phoenix by just two.

Crystal Kelly had 14 points and Rebekkah Brunson 11 for Sacramento, which has lost three of four.