Mercury, Sky trending in opposite directions entering clash

The Phoenix Mercury will try to extend their season-long three-game winning streak when they host the struggling Chicago Sky, losers of eight of their last 10 games, on Tuesday night.

The Sky (6-14) are 3-13 since starting the season by winning three of their first four games.

The Mercury (8-13) have turned their fortunes around, victorious in their last three games after losing five of six.

After Chicago's promising start following the first four games of the season, leading scorer Rickea Jackson sustained a torn ACL on May 17.

Veteran guard Skylar Diggins, who played for Phoenix from 2020 to 2022, reportedly lost her starting role after leading Chicago with 19 points in the Sky's 98-90 overtime loss at the Las Vegas Aces on Friday.

In a story on her Instagram page Monday, she stated, "Now I'm coming off the bench?????? Cool."

Chicago coach Tyler Marsh has attempted to minimize any possible issues within the team.

"None of us are complacent at where we're at," he said. "After the last couple of weeks have been going, emotions are high. Frustration is high, but we're all on the same page."

During the recent rough stretch for Phoenix, from June 9 to June 22, the Mercury lost Serbian guard Jovana Nogic, who reportedly left to focus on her pro career in Russia due to visa problems.

Nogic scored 27 points in Phoenix's only previous meeting with Chicago this season, a 91-83 win at Phoenix on May 15. She was averaging 10.4 points per game when she left.

Lexi Held has boosted her production since Nogic's departure, including a 17-point performance in the Mercury's 90-67 home victory against the Seattle Storm on Thursday.

Held signed a rest-of-season contract on June 1, and her minutes increased in the backcourt rotation after Nogic left. In the win over Seattle, she set a career high with five 3-pointers on six attempts.

"I think it's just one step at a time, just getting used to playing with my teammates," Held said. "It's about staying aggressive and providing a spark wherever the team needs it."