Mercury snap skid with defensive showing against Washington Mystics

The Mystics quickly took a 6-2 lead to begin the first quarter. The Mercury responded by going on a 7-0 run to take the lead, but couldn’t keep it as both teams exchanged leads throughout the quarter. Phoenix tried to catch up in the second quarter, but fouls gave Washington opportunities at the free-throw line.

A 11-0 run to open the second half gave Phoenix its first lead since the first quarter. Phoenix’s defense kept the Mystics to 12 points in the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth, sealing their first win in four games.

Alyssa Thomas had another double-double, scoring 27 points with eight assists and 11 rebounds.

Mercury Defense

The game was a story of two halves, with Phoenix’s defense keeping Washington from coming back in the second. Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts credited the team for playing great defense, something they hadn’t been doing the past two games.

The Mystics were on pace for 96 points at halftime, something that Tibbetts said was not “good enough” for the Mercury. He wanted his team to regain the defensive rhythm it had during the first half of the season

“It’s why we were third in defense,” he said. “It’s why you’ve seen our defense drop the last two games… You can’t give up 89 and 90 points in games and think you’re going to win. It just puts too much pressure on your offense.”

Next Game

The Phoenix Mercury will face the Indiana Fever for the first time this season on Wednesday, July 30.