NFL
By: Kristy Love
The Phoenix Mercury have been on a rollercoaster lately — wins, losses, comebacks, and even a few heartbreakers all packed into one wild stretch. But if you’ve been watching, you know this team isn’t acting like they’re in rebuild mode. They’re scrappy, explosive at times, and still figuring things out. Let’s dive into their last few games, starting with their most recent rematch against the Minnesota Lynx.
June 3: A Tough One vs. Minnesota
The Mercury fell to the Lynx, 88–65. And while Phoenix came out with energy — leading 23–14 after the first quarter — things quickly turned. The Lynx dominated the second and third quarters, outscoring the Mercury 49–23 in that stretch.
Lexi got bunnies 🐰 pic.twitter.com/2t9lfwT6yx
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 4, 2025
Satou Sabally led with 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Lexi Held added 16 off the bench. But Minnesota is no joke right now — undefeated, deep, and balanced. Napheesa Collier and Natisha Hiedeman both dropped 18 points, and the Mercury just couldn’t keep up with the pace or consistency.
May 30: A Near Upset That Slipped Away
Just a few days earlier, these same two teams clashed in Phoenix, and it was a much tighter game. The Mercury were right there, but a clutch three from Hiedeman with 5 seconds left sealed the deal for the Lynx, 74–71.
Sabally was dominant — 26 points and 11 boards. It was a game the Mercury really could’ve (and maybe should’ve) won, but late-game execution hurt them. Still, it showed they can go toe-to-toe with the best when they stay aggressive and locked in.
June 1: Comeback Win Over the Sparks
Now let’s talk about the bounce-back. Against the Sparks, the Mercury pulled off one of their grittiest wins yet. Down 18 in the first half, they stormed back with a huge second half to win 85–80.
Sabally was everywhere again — 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. Kathryn Westbeld and Kitija Laksa each added 15, and a 23–7 run flipped the energy of the game. It was intense, it was gritty, and it proved this team’s heart is just as strong as its talent.
Where They Stand Now
At 5–3, Phoenix sits 5th in the Western Conference — not bad for a team many thought would crumble without legends like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Instead, they’ve been grinding. Sabally is looking like a legit All-Star, the bench is stepping up, and the chemistry is starting to take shape.
Looking Ahead: Next Game vs. Golden State Valkyries (June 6)
The Mercury hosts the 2–4 Golden State Valkyries, a team still searching for its identity. Golden State is coming off a loss to the New York Liberty, while Phoenix has won 4 of its last 5 at home.
Key to this matchup? Start strong. The Mercury can’t afford to play from behind again. They’ve got the edge in scoring, defense, and experience — but they need to set the tone early.
Sabally will be a huge factor once again, averaging 20.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Her leadership will be crucial, especially with Alyssa Thomas and Kalani Brown still listed as day-to-day. If Phoenix brings that same focus and intensity we saw against the Sparks, they should walk away with another home win.
Tip-off is at 7 pm MST from Phoenix, AZ – you can stream the game on WNBA league pass and on Amazon Prime.
