Full Breakdown
Mercury Snap Losing Streak with 72-63 Win Over Sun
7/20/2026, 12:47:48 PM
Key Performances and Milestones
Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner posted a season-high 21 points and secured six rebounds, surpassing Brittney Griner to become the Mercury’s all-time leading rebounder. Kahleah Copper contributed 18 points, 12 of them in the fourth quarter, and helped generate 12 of the team’s 18 second-half points. Monique Akoa Makani added 11 points and six rebounds, while Natasha Mack returned from an eight-game foot injury to record five points and five rebounds in 19 minutes, providing crucial pick-and-roll coverage. For Connecticut, Brittney Griner led with 19 points; Leila Lacan, who had exploded for 26 points in the previous meeting, was limited to seven points and nine turnovers.
Coaching Perspective and Defensive Strategy
Head coach Nate Tibbetts emphasized that the Mercury entered the game needing defensive intensity after recent losses. He noted that the team limited the Sun to 22 points off turnovers while allowing only nine transition points. The defensive effort was anchored by forward Noemie Brochant and Makani, who pressured the Sun’s perimeter and contested the post.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re playing for our playoff lives to finish the season,” — Nate Tibbetts
- “Our defense really responded today,” — Nate Tibbetts
- “It was not about scoring early, it was about making the right decisions and knowing that we'll open it up down the stretch,” — Kahleah Copper
- “In her short stint, she's a rebounding machine.” — Kahleah Copper (about Natasha Mack)
Looking Ahead
The Mercury travel to Los Angeles to face the Los Angeles Sparks on July 22, 2026, before the league’s All-Star break begins on July 23. The win positions Phoenix to continue fighting for a postseason berth.
