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WNBA Sends Message to Mercury Rookie's Career Night vs. Liberty

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 11:13 PM ET

The Phoenix Mercury continued their hot streak on Thursday with an 89-81 win over the New York Liberty. The Mercury were coming off an 83-75 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday. Additionally, they didn't have Kahleah Copper, who was under injury management.

In her place, the Mercury put Sami Whitcomb, who scored 16 points on 44.4% shooting from downtown. However, it was rookie guard Monique Akoa Makani who led the team to a win. The French-Cameroonian guard had 21 points and six assists in 27 minutes of action. She was the only player for the Phoenix team to score at least 20 points in the game.

It was a new career-high for Akoa Makani and the first time she scored at least 20 points since getting drafted.

Following Akoa Makani's best scoring outing of her professional career, the WNBA recognized it and had a message for the rookie.

"Monique Akoa Makani made her statement tonight ," the WNBA posted. "The rookie delivered 11 HUGE third-quarter points in Brooklyn!"

Monique Akoa Makani made her statement tonight

She dropped a career-high 21 PTS, 6 AST vs. a 10-2 Liberty squad!

The rookie delivered 11 HUGE third-quarter points in Brooklyn! pic.twitter.com/PUrAToDzVh
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 20, 2025

Scoring is nothing new for Akoa Makani. In the first 13 games she played in, she has displayed an aggressive approach on offense. The 5-foot-10 guard is averaging 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. The 24-year-old guard is also a reliable shooter from deep, making 46.3% of her attempts.

The rookie guard also had help from the veteran players on the team. Alyssa Thomas had her usual all-around game and finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Satou Sabally, meanwhile, was dominant and had 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Mercury are on a four-game winning streak.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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