Phoenix Mercury win fifth straight against Fever, staying focused on themselves

After starting slow in the first minutes of the first quarter, the Mercury quickly found their footing to take the lead against the Fever for the rest of the game. Forward Alyssa Thomas nearly had an eighth triple-double this season, scoring 23 points with nine rebounds and nine assists.

The victory marked another collective effort from the team, as Phoenix’s bench outscored Indiana’s 31-12. Four other Mercury players scored in double digits against the Fever: Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb.

As the season winds down, the Mercury aren’t focused on other teams but on improving themselves ahead of the playoffs. Despite already clinching a playoff berth, there’s still more to play for. They are in a three-way tie for the No. 2 seed with four games left in the regular season.

“Just from a standings standpoint, typically throughout the year you’re talking about the process or you wanna do things the right way,” said head coach Nate Tibbetts, according to the team’s post-game notes. “… But right now, we’re in the business of winning games and so all of them matter.”

Although the Washington Mystics — the Mercury’s next opponent — are out of playoff contention, the Mercury aren’t taking them lightly. As with any other opponent this season, Phoenix is focused on improving and building on its progress.

“There’s only a few more games left until the playoffs; these games are about us,” said Thomas post-game. “It’s about coming out and executing our game plan. Just fine-tuning ourselves and be ready for [the] playoffs.”

The Mercury remain locked in on finishing the regular season strong, focusing on their progress as the standings are getting closer.

The Phoenix Mercury will now head to the East Coast to face the Washington Mystics on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 4:30 p.m.