Phoenix Mercury’s Struggles Continue Amidst Connecticut Sun’s Dominance

The Phoenix Mercury have faced a series of challenges this season, culminating in a disheartening loss to the Connecticut Sun on Friday with a final score of 88-69. This defeat not only highlights the ongoing struggles for the Mercury but also underscores the impressive performance of the Sun. The game was particularly tough for the Mercury, who managed to score only six points in the third quarter, a glaring indicator of their offensive struggles. Head coach Nate Tibbetts did not mince words when acknowledging the team’s poor performance, pointing out that such lapses are unacceptable, especially as they approach the critical juncture of the WNBA playoffs.

From the outset, the Mercury were playing catch-up. They trailed by five points after the first quarter, and things only got worse from there. The Connecticut Sun extended their lead significantly with a staggering 20-0 run during the third quarter, effectively sealing the fate of the game. This run was spearheaded by Sun forward Dewanna Bonner, a former Mercury player, who scored 14 points. Her familiarity with the Mercury’s playstyle seemed to give her an edge, further compounding Phoenix’s woes.

Despite the overall poor team performance, there were some standout individual efforts. Brittney Griner, the Mercury’s center, was the top scorer for the team, putting up an impressive 26 points. Griner’s performance was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak game for Phoenix. Celeste Taylor, one of the Mercury’s latest signees, also showed promise with four rebounds and two blocks. Taylor had stepped into the starting lineup to replace the injured Kahleah Copper, the Mercury’s leading scorer this season, who was absent due to a back injury. Copper’s absence was keenly felt, as the team struggled offensively without her.

In addition to Copper, the Mercury were also missing two other key players: Rebecca Allen and Charisma Osborne, both out with injuries. The absence of these players has left significant gaps in the team’s lineup, making it difficult for them to find their rhythm. Coach Tibbetts highlighted several areas where the team struggled, including forced turnovers, points off turnovers, and defensive rebounds. The Mercury had a total of seven turnovers in the game, a statistic that Tibbetts pointed out as particularly troubling.

As the regular season draws to a close, the Mercury have one final game before the WNBA playoffs begin. Currently ranked seventh in the WNBA playoff seedings, Phoenix will need to address their issues quickly if they hope to make a meaningful impact in the postseason. Their final regular season game will take place at the Footprint Center, offering them a chance to regroup and hopefully end the season on a high note. The WNBA playoffs are set to begin on September 22, and the Mercury’s final record for the regular season stands at 17-20.

On the other hand, the Connecticut Sun have been performing exceptionally well. They recently won a game against the Los Angeles Sparks with a score of 86-66, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess. The Sun had an impressive field goal percentage of 53.2% and converted 8 of their 21 attempted three-pointers. They also performed well at the free throw line, making 85.7% of their attempts. On the rebounding front, they grabbed a total of 33 rebounds, three of which were offensive, and had 24 assists while forcing 15 turnovers. Their defensive stats were equally impressive, allowing a 38.8% field goal percentage from the Sparks and recording eight steals.

The Connecticut Sun’s defensive capabilities were on full display as they allowed only 19 assists and nine steals from the Los Angeles Sparks. They also managed to grab 27 total rebounds, with five being offensive and 22 defensive, although they recorded no blocks. The Sparks had a 66.7% free throw percentage and made six out of 19 three-pointers. Marina Mabrey had a standout performance in the game, scoring 26 points on nine of 13 shooting, along with four assists and two rebounds. The Sun currently have a record of 26-10 and average 80.1 points per game, boasting a 44.2% field goal percentage and a 32.5% three-point percentage.

In addition to their offensive strengths, the Sun have a 75.2% free throw percentage and have grabbed 33.3 rebounds per game. They have recorded 708 assists this season, ranking ninth in the league. On defense, they force an average of 15.5 turnovers per game and commit 18.4 personal fouls. They also allow a 31.4% three-point percentage and have the lowest points allowed per game in the WNBA at 73.9. The Sun have a 43.2% field goal percentage and concede 31.9 rebounds per game, having given up 683 assists to opponents this season.

The Phoenix Mercury recently suffered another loss to the Seattle Storm with a final score of 90-66. They shot 36.4% from the field and allowed the Storm to shoot 42.9%, while also committing 13 turnovers and recording four steals. This loss adds to their growing list of challenges as they prepare for the playoffs. Brionna Jones scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Connecticut Sun, while Marina Mabrey contributed 19 points in their 88-69 win over the Mercury. The Sun led for the majority of the game and secured their third straight victory, remaining one game behind the Minnesota Lynx for second place in the WNBA standings.

The Connecticut Sun are also four games behind the first-place New York Liberty. Dewanna Bonner scored 14 points, Tyasha Harris had 12, and Alyssa Thomas had 11 assists for the Sun. The Phoenix Mercury have lost six of their last seven games, including three straight losses. They clinched a playoff berth but have been struggling as of late. Their recent loss snaps their streak of 10 consecutive playoff appearances. Last season, they only won nine games and had the second-worst winning percentage in franchise history.

Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. She made 11 out of 15 shots from the field, showcasing her skills despite the team’s overall struggles. Natasha Cloud also contributed with 17 points and seven assists, but it was not enough to secure a win for the Mercury. Diana Taurasi had a quiet night, scoring only seven points on two of 10 shooting. The Mercury were unable to mount a comeback and secure a win, further highlighting their struggles this season.

Brionna Jones stayed hot and scored 10 of 16 shots from the field, grabbing nine rebounds in her dominant performance. Marina Mabrey also had a strong showing with 19 points. Connecticut remains in contention for a top spot in the WNBA standings with their win. The Sun will look to continue their winning streak in their next game, while the Mercury will need to regroup and address their issues quickly if they hope to make a meaningful impact in the postseason. As the WNBA playoffs approach, the stakes are higher than ever, and both teams will need to bring their best to the court.