Phoenix Mercury snap 5-game skid with Bonner's 21 points
The Phoenix Mercury beat the Connecticut Sun 72-63 on Sunday in Phoenix, snapping a five-game losing streak behind DeWanna Bonner's season-high 21 points. Kahleah Copper added 18 as the Mercury (9-18) ended a three-game home skid and halted Connecticut's two-game win streak in a rematch after Friday's loss.
Key Takeaways
- DeWanna Bonner scored a season-high 21 points as the Phoenix Mercury won 72-63.
- The Mercury snapped a five-game skid and a three-game home losing streak.
- Phoenix scored 22 points off Connecticut's season-high 21 turnovers.
- Brittney Griner led the Sun with 19 points; Olivia Nelson-Ododa had a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
- Natasha Mack returned from an eight-game absence and contributed off the bench.
The win mattered because Phoenix had been stuck in a slide. After falling 96-83 to Connecticut on Friday, the Mercury answered with a defensive, opportunistic home win that stopped the bleeding and moved them to 9-18.
For more live sports and alert coverage, check BlasterPost Streaming & TV Alerts.
How did the Phoenix Mercury close out the Sun?
Connecticut still made it tense late. Charlisse Leger-Walker converted a three-point play that pulled the Sun within one with 4:42 remaining.
Copper answered with a driving layup, then hit two free throws to make it 67-62 less than a minute later. Alyssa Thomas threw an alley-oop to Bonner for a layup, and the and-one free throw stretched the lead to eight with 1:44 left, sealing the result.
According to The Associated Press report via the Toronto Star, Copper poured in 12 of her 18 points after halftime, while Monique Akoa Makani added 11 for Phoenix.
What stood out for Bonner and the Mercury defense?
Bonner's season-high scoring night set the tone. Natasha Mack (foot) returned from an eight-game absence and posted four points, five rebounds, a steal and a block in 20 minutes off the bench.
Phoenix shot 50% from the field in the first half, with 12 assists on 17 made field goals, and carried a 10-point lead into the break. The Mercury then capitalized on Connecticut's season-high 21 turnovers for 22 points.
A Reuters Connect photo of the matchup captured Bonner rising for a shot as Griner contested on defense, underscoring the physical battle inside.
How did Brittney Griner and the Connecticut Sun fare?
The Sun (7-19) saw their two-game win streak end. Griner scored 19 points, and Nelson-Ododa finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Leila Lacan, who had a career-high 26 points in Friday's win, managed only seven on 2-of-9 shooting and committed a career-high nine turnovers. Aaliyah Edwards left with a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return. Aneesah Morrow (reconditioning) and Saniya Rivers (ankle/foot) did not play.
Next up, the Sun visit Indiana on Wednesday, while the Mercury head to Los Angeles the same night.