Mercury Beats Sparks 89-86 in Thrilling Match

PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix Mercury edged past the Los Angeles Sparks 89-86 on Wednesday night, thanks to standout performances by Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas.

Sabally led the Mercury with 25 points, while Thomas contributed 19. The game saw a dramatic fourth quarter where the Sparks, trailing by 14 points initially, fought back to close the gap dramatically.

Kelsey Plum brought the Sparks within one point, scoring two free throws that made it 78-77 with just 2 1/2 minutes to go. However, Thomas responded quickly, scoring six consecutive points for Phoenix.

Plum finished strong, netting the last 11 points for the Sparks, including her 500th career three-pointer. However, with four seconds remaining, her desperation shot from the left wing was just short, putting the Mercury ahead 87-86.

Sabally sealed the victory with two free throws, leaving Los Angeles with a half-court shot that missed the mark. Overall, Monique Akoa Makani added 11 points for the Mercury, who capitalized on 17 Sparks turnovers, converting them into 23 points.

Plum had a stellar game with 25 points for the Sparks, while Azura Stevens added 23 points and 17 rebounds. Dearica Hamby contributed 15 points and made a crucial impact in the final quarter.

Looking ahead, both teams will be back on the court Friday night, with Phoenix heading to Seattle and Los Angeles hosting Golden State.