Alyssa Thomas delivered her sixth triple-double of the WNBA season, scoring 19 points, handing out 11 assists, and grabbing 10 rebounds as the Phoenix Mercury edged the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Sunday. The win ended Phoenix’s two-game losing streak and highlighted Thomas’ all-around impact on the court.
The presence of Thomas was crucial as the Mercury held off a late surge from the home team in Seattle, securing a vital win that improves their record to 20-13 as the postseason approaches.
Key Contributors Fuel the Mercury’s Offense Amid Seattle’s Rally
Kahleah Copper complemented Thomas with 17 points, while Sami Whitcomb added 15 points, including three crucial 3-pointers. Satou Sabally and DeWanna Bonner also contributed double-digit scoring, with 11 and 10 points respectively. The Mercury maintained composure despite the Storm closing the gap to 83-82 in the final seconds after Brittney Sykes’ layup.
Whitcomb‘s two made free throws extended the Mercury lead to 85-82 with under three seconds remaining, and Seattle’s final attempt to force overtime failed when Erica Wheeler missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Nneka Ogwumike and Seattle Storm Fight Back but Fall Short
Seattle’s Nneka Ogwumike was the top scorer for the Storm, posting 24 points and eight rebounds. Alongside Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins added 14 points, Gabby Williams scored 13, and Brittney Sykes contributed 11 points. Despite their efforts and a significant 56-38 advantage in paint scoring, the Storm could not overcome Phoenix’s balanced attack.
The team’s recent struggles continued as this marked their seventh loss in eight games, thwarting their attempt to secure back-to-back victories.
Memorable Moment for Storm With Sue Bird Statue Unveiling
The Storm celebrated “Forever Sue” day by unveiling a statue honoring Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champion and a Seattle basketball icon. This tribute underscored Bird’s profound legacy with the franchise and the league.
Game Flow: Momentum Shifts Keep the Outcome Uncertain Until the End
The Mercury entered the final quarter leading 67-60, but the Storm rallied. Ogwumike’s rebound put-back leveled the score at 75-75 with under four minutes left. Shortly after, Erica Wheeler hit a contested three-pointer to give Seattle its first lead of the game at 78-77 with just over two minutes remaining.
However, Copper responded with consecutive layups to push Phoenix back ahead 81-78 with under a minute to play. The back-and-forth battle featured critical plays on both ends as Phoenix’s defense held strong in the closing seconds.
Early Quarter Runs Set the Pace for a Tight Contest
Phoenix started strong with an 8-0 run, gaining an early 10-2 lead on Thomas’ jumper midway through the first quarter. The Storm, however, rallied to close the period on a 6-0 run capped by Ogwumike’s short shot, narrowing the gap to 20-17.
Whitcomb contributed important three-pointers late in the second quarter, boosting Phoenix to a 43-34 lead. Ogwumike’s response trimmed that margin to six by halftime as the Storm kept pressure on Phoenix.
Team Shooting and Series Implications
Phoenix shot 8-of-26 from three-point range, outperforming Seattle’s 4-of-22 effort from beyond the arc. Despite moments when the Storm dominated points off turnovers and the paint, Phoenix’s balanced play and clutch free throws were decisive.
The victory allowed the Mercury to even the season series against Seattle at two wins apiece in their four meetings this year. This outcome could influence playoff seeding and momentum for both teams as the regular season winds down.