Mercury fails to rally late against the Storm

The Mercury and the Storm exchanged shots and leads throughout the first half. Phoenix relied heavily on free throw shots in the first minutes of the game, with Lexi Held getting the team’s first three-pointer in after almost six minutes of play.

It wasn’t until the second quarter that the Mercury took the lead back five minutes in, 29-26. However, Seattle would answer back with a 9-0 run. The Storm led after the first half, 46-43.

Seattle took an eight-point lead in the third quarter after Phoenix’s Satou Sabally was taken out in the final two minutes. Although Phoenix tried to chip away, the Storm had an answer for every shot. The Storm continued to extend the lead and broke it open in the fourth quarter with a 12-point lead. Seattle eventually won, giving Phoenix its second loss at home and fourth of the season.

The Mercury’s Sabally led scoring for the team with 22 points and six assists.

The Storm’s Skylar Diggins was its lead scorer, scoring 22 of her 26 points in the second half.

Fatigue for Phoenix?

Phoenix has played nine games in 18 days, with 1-2 days of rest in between. Some players have had to play more minutes due to injuries on the roster. Head coach Nate Tibbets told the media after the game that he’s proud of his team with a current 6-4 record despite missing players.

“I’m extremely happy, [but] I’m not satisfied,” he said. “I don’t think any of us are, but I do like where we’re at. I think help is coming.”

Sabally also spoke to the media about the team’s record and noted that injuries haven’t held the Mercury back.

“I would say we’re a very dangerous team,” said Sabally. “We have a long season to go… we’re locked in. Obviously, we’re missing some people, but the squad that we have — [I] wouldn’t want to change it.

Looking Towards Recovery And The Next Challenge

The Phoenix Mercury will take a few days away from the action and return to face the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m.