Kelsey Plum Powers Phoenix Mercury to 106-101 Victory in Chicago

In a Monday night matchup, the Phoenix Mercury edged the Chicago Sky 106-101 at Wintrust Arena. The win came just days after the Mercury acquired guard Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks. Plum contributed 20 points, including a decisive three-pointer with 53 seconds remaining that put Phoenix ahead 103-101. After a brief timeout, Phoenix forward DeWanna Bonner blocked a layup attempt by Chicago’s Courtney Vandersloot and then sank two free throws to secure a four-point margin. Kahleah Copper finished with 31 points, 20 of which came in the second half, and sealed the win with a late steal.

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Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double—19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists—marking her 27th career triple-double, the most in WNBA history. Bonner added 14 points, while bench player Valeriane Ayayi contributed 10 points. For Chicago, Vandersloot, DiJonai Carrington, and Kamilla Cardoso each scored 16 points; Vandersloot also dished out 10 assists, and Cardoso grabbed 13 rebounds. Sydney Taylor left the game early due to a left groin injury after scoring 14 points in 17 minutes.

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• Final score: Phoenix Mercury 106, Chicago Sky 101

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• Plum: 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, three three-pointers (first game since June 21)

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• Copper: 31 points (20 in second half)

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• Thomas: 19-15-12 (triple-double)

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• Bonner: 14 points, key defensive block in final minute

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• Chicago’s top scorers: Vandersloot, Carrington, Cardoso – 16 points each

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Plum’s immediate scoring output and clutch three-pointer demonstrate the Mercury’s intent to integrate her into the offense quickly. The victory improves Phoenix’s standing in the early season race and provides momentum heading into the next stretch of games. Chicago, meanwhile, must address late-game defensive lapses that allowed Phoenix to overturn a narrow lead in the final minute.

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