Phoenix Mercury fall to Connecticut Sun as team eyes possible adjustments

The Sun took an early lead in the first quarter, but the Mercury were able to bounce back and take a 50-47 lead at the half. However, Connecticut took the momentum right back and fouls in the third quarter hurt Phoenix the rest of the way.

Phoenix had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, but Kahleah Copper’s 3-point attempt missed.

“We didn’t have the urgency for sure,” said Sami Whitcomb. “And that was obvious just in the start for us [with] how many points we gave up in the first half. That’s not kind of our standard.”

The Mercury sent the Sun to the free-throw line 34 times and Connecticut converted 26 of those attempts.

“We had fouls called against us that changed the momentum, shifted momentum, things like that,” she said. “So it was just a case of they were able to capitalize on some of that.”

The Mercury have been vocal about how every game down the stretch has mattered to prepare for the playoffs. With the loss, Phoenix will need to reevaluate its approach to the final two games of the season.

“We’ll need to talk as a staff, front office and how we want to manage the last two games,” head coach Nate Tibbetts said post-game. “… These 1 o’clock games for West Coast teams have been tough.”

Phoenix will look to regroup quickly with two games remaining in the regular season, hoping to bounce back and find momentum heading into the playoffs.

The Phoenix Mercury will host the Los Angeles Sparks for their final home game of the regular season on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.