PHOENIX (AP) -Diana Taurasi scored the game's first six points to fuel a 22-2 opening run, and the Phoenix Mercury routed the Chicago Sky 90-70 Wednesday night.

Taurasi finished with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and added 10 rebounds and three assists. She also blocked a shot to become the franchise's career leader with 185.

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Cappie Pondexter had 16 points, Le'coe Willingham added 11 and Tangela Smith matched a career high with 13 rebounds for the Mercury (9-4), who won their third straight game to move a half-game ahead of Minnesota for the Western Conference lead.

Phoenix is 8-0 all-time against the Sky (6-6).

Candice Dupree scored 22 points and Jia Perkins added 10 for the Sky, who were without star center Sylvia Fowles because of soreness in her right knee.

Chicago coach Steve Key was ejected after picking up a pair of technicals with 6:47 left in the game.

After watching the Mercury extend its lead to 21 points midway through the first quarter, Dupree scored four points to key a 7-0 run that pulled Chicago within 27-13 with 2:13 left in the quarter.

But Phoenix opened the second period with a 6-2 run, capped by a bank shot by Willingham, to open a 40-19 lead with 6:14 left in the first half.

The Mercury led by as many as 25 and by no fewer than 15 over the final 2 1/2 quarters.