Full Breakdown
Sun Surge Past Mercury in Phoenix, 96-83
7/18/2026, 1:14:55 PM
Game Summary
On Friday night, the Connecticut Sun defeated the Phoenix Mercury 96-83 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Leila Lacan posted a career-high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting, propelling the Sun to a 19-point lead early in the second quarter that they never relinquished. The Sun, now 7-18, recorded their second consecutive win of the season and improved to 5-3 in their last eight games. The Mercury, at 8-18, extended their losing streak to five games.
Key Performers
- Leila Lacan (Connecticut Sun) – 26 points, including a three-pointer, a three-point play, and a layup that capped an 11-0 run.
- Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury) – Led the Mercury with 21 points.
- Kennedy Burke (Sun) – Contributed 13 points.
- Brittney Griner (Sun) – Returned to Phoenix for only her second game since leaving the Mercury after the 2024 season, adding 12 points.
- Aaliyah Edwards (Sun) – Scored 12 points.
- Diamond Miller (Sun) – Added 11 points.
- Alyssa Thomas (Mercury) – Recorded 15 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
- Valeriane Ayayi (Mercury) – Tallied 13 points.
- DeWanna Bonner (Mercury) – Grabbed 10 rebounds and scored eight points.
Statistical Highlights
- The Sun shot 76.9% (10-of-13) from the field during Lacan’s scoring burst.
- Phoenix endured a nearly four-minute scoreless stretch and went without a made field goal for almost five minutes in the second quarter.
- The Mercury committed eight of their 13 turnovers in that same quarter.
- Saniya Rivers (Sun) returned from a two-game ankle sprain, scoring six points in 14 minutes off the bench.
- Monique Akoa Makani (Mercury) suffered an incidental elbow from Griner early and left the game briefly; she finished 0-for-6.
- Aneesah Morrow (Sun) missed her fifth consecutive game while reconditioning.
Season Implications
Connecticut’s victory marks only the second back-to-back win of the season, suggesting a potential upward trend as the team approaches the final stretch of the regular season. Phoenix’s fifth straight loss underscores ongoing struggles, particularly in second-quarter defensive execution and ball security, issues that will need addressing if the Mercury hope to improve their standing before the postseason deadline.
