The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Seattle Storm 89-73 on July 2, 2026, at the Mortgage Matchup Center, marking the Mercury's third consecutive win against the Storm this season.
Why it matters: The victory solidifies the Mercury's position as they aim to improve their standing in the WNBA playoffs. For the Storm, the loss extends their road woes and raises concerns about their performance consistency.
The Mercury improved their record to 8-13, moving closer to playoff contention.
The Storm dropped to 5-16, continuing their struggles on the road with an 8-game losing streak away from home.
This matchup was a key test for both teams, with the Mercury looking to capitalize on their recent momentum.
Driving the news: The game kicked off at 10 p.m. ET, and the Mercury quickly established dominance. Kahleah Copper led the scoring with 23 points, helping the Mercury build a substantial lead. Alyssa Thomas returned from suspension, contributing significantly with 5 points and 6 rebounds.
The Mercury took control early, leading 55-36 at halftime.
Seattle's rookie Flau’jae Johnson, who had been a standout in previous games, struggled to find her rhythm, scoring only 13 points.
Valeriane Ayayi also had a strong performance for Phoenix, adding 12 points in the first half.
State of play: Both teams faced injuries, impacting their lineups. The Mercury were without Natasha Mack (foot) and Sami Whitcomb (knee), but their depth proved sufficient against the Storm.
Seattle's roster was mostly intact, but their performance did not match expectations.
Natisha Hiedeman led the Storm with 11 points, but the team struggled offensively, shooting just 39.8% from the field.
The Storm's recent two-game win streak was overshadowed by their inability to maintain momentum against the Mercury.
The big picture: The Mercury's victory adds to their recent resurgence, having won three of their last five games. This win also highlights their ability to perform well at home, improving their record to 3-6 on their own court.
In stark comparison, the Storm's road record stands at a dismal 1-8, raising questions about their competitiveness this season.
The Mercury's defense has been particularly effective against Seattle, holding them to an average of just 38% shooting in their three meetings this season.
With Alyssa Thomas back, the Mercury's offense looks more balanced and capable of challenging top teams.
What they're saying: Post-game comments from players and coaches indicated a mix of relief and determination from the Mercury, contrasted with frustration from the Storm.
"It feels good to get another win at home and build some momentum," Copper said. "We need to keep this going into the next games."
Storm head coach expressed disappointment, stating, "We need to find our identity and play more consistently if we want to turn this season around."
Fans expressed mixed emotions, hoping for improvement but acknowledging the team's challenges.
By the numbers: Key statistics from the game highlight the disparities between the two teams.
Kahleah Copper scored 23 points, leading all scorers in the game.
The Mercury shot 50% from the field, compared to the Storm's 39.8%.
Seattle had a total of 11 assists, showing a lack of offensive flow.
Rebounding was another area of concern, with the Mercury out-rebounding the Storm 29 to 17.
What's next: The Storm will look to regroup and address their offensive struggles as they prepare for their next game against a tough opponent.
Seattle's next matchup is scheduled for July 5, 2026, where they hope to break their losing streak.
The Mercury will aim to build on their success as they face another challenging game next week.
Fans will eagerly await to see if the Storm can bounce back and regain some confidence on the road.