Full Breakdown
Portland Fire Overcome Phoenix Mercury in Fourth-Quarter Surge
8/17/2026, 11:35:58 AM
Game Context and Jersey Retirement
The matchup took place on a Sunday night in Phoenix, coinciding with a halftime ceremony that retired Diana Taurasi’s No. 3 jersey. Taurasi, a 20-season WNBA veteran, finished her career as the league’s all-time scoring leader with 10,646 points and three championships. The ceremony marked the end of an era for the Mercury while the teams competed in a tightly contested game.
Key Statistics and Turning Points
Portland secured an 88–85 victory despite trailing for most of the contest. The Fire, entering the game at 15-20, out-scored the Mercury, who were 13-23, in the final minutes. Carla Leite led Portland with 23 points, shooting 9-for-15 and adding five assists; she also contributed a decisive 15-point fourth quarter, including the go-ahead jumper with 1:53 remaining.
Phoenix’s DeWanna Bonner matched Leite’s total with 23 points, shooting 40 % from three-point range and perfect from the line (5-for-5). Kahleah Copper added 19 points and seven rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas posted 17 points and 11 rebounds, falling one assist short of a triple-double.
Defensively, Bridget Carleton blocked Copper’s drive in the closing seconds and converted two free throws to extend Portland’s lead to four. The Fire’s overall shooting improved to 45.1 % from the field, though they made only 27 % of their three-point attempts and 66.7 % of free throws. Phoenix shot 41.8 % overall and made one more three-pointer than Portland.
Free-throw disparity was notable early on: the Mercury attempted 25 free throws to Portland’s 21, converting at a higher rate. Portland’s comeback was fueled by a disruptive trapping defense that limited Phoenix’s efficiency and forced critical turnovers.
Official Responses and Outlook
Both franchises highlighted the significance of the night: the Mercury celebrated Taurasi’s legacy, while Portland emphasized the resilience of its young roster despite Leite’s apparent wrist discomfort. The Fire’s next scheduled game is against the Atlanta Dream.
On-Court Impact
The win marked Portland’s first triumph over Phoenix this season and demonstrated the Fire’s capacity to rally under pressure, suggesting a potential shift in momentum as the regular season approaches its final stretch.
