WNBA Preview: Chicago Sky (11-15) vs Phoenix Mercury (14-13)

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Phoenix Mercury logo

The Phoenix Mercury will host the Sky on Sunday, three days after winning in Chicago in the first game since the WNBA took a break for the Paris Olympics.

Both teams have played since Phoenix’s 85-65 win over the Sky on Thursday night. The Mercury were led in that game by Olympian Kahleah Copper, who scored 29 points.

Phoenix (14-13) lost 98-89 at the Indiana Fever on Friday and the Sky (11-15) beat the Los Angeles Sparks 90-86 on Saturday.

The Mercury rallied against the Fever after trailing 48-20 in the second quarter.

Phoenix cut the halftime deficit to 54-37 and opened the second half on 25-7 run to take a 62-61 lead late in the third quarter.

The Fever turned back the tide and took a 73-65 lead into the fourth quarter and held on.

Copper finished with 32 points and eight rebounds.

Phoenix’s other two members of the U.S. Olympic team — Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner — combined for 12 points in the first half.

Taurasi finished with 16 points. Griner played through foul trouble and had 10 points and four rebounds.

In the Sky’s win over the Sparks on Saturday, Lindsay Allen tallied a season-high 16 points, while rookies Kamilla Cardoso (15 points and 14 rebounds) and Angel Reese (14 points and 11 rebounds) posted double-doubles.

The Sky trailed 74-64 after three quarters but scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter.

With the game tied at 79 with 4:43 left, Reese made 1 of 2 free-throw attempts and Michaela Onyenwere followed with a layup. The Sky never trailed again.

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WNBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.