Mercury End Losing Streak

Bonner and Copper Carry Phoenix to Victory

DeWanna Bonner led all scorers with 21 points — her best total of the season. She gave Phoenix a reliable offensive anchor from the start. Kahleah Copper then took over in the second half, finishing with 18 points total, according to KDH News. Together, the two veterans provided the scoring punch Phoenix had been missing during its five-game slide.

The Mercury's offense clicked at the right moments. Phoenix outscored Connecticut badly enough to win by nine despite what was described as a low-scoring, grind-it-out game. The final score of 72-63 reflected a defensive battle where turnovers played a massive role, Winnipeg Free Press noted.

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21 Sun Turnovers Prove Costly in Loss

Connecticut committed 21 turnovers — a season-high number — and Phoenix made them pay. The Mercury scored 22 points directly off those miscues, according to Seattle PI. That margin alone was larger than the final nine-point gap between the two teams. In a low-scoring game, giving away possessions proved fatal for the Sun.

The Sun entered the game riding a two-game win streak but could not protect the ball. Connecticut's careless play undermined any offensive momentum they built. Brittney Griner and Olivia Nelson-Ododa contributed for Phoenix on the other end, helping shut down Sun scoring opportunities, Twin Cities Business Radio reported.

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Mercury Return Key Players After Eight-Game Absence

Phoenix got a boost beyond just the scorebook. Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack both returned to the lineup after missing eight consecutive games, according to WNEP. Their return gave the Mercury added depth and energy — two things the team badly needed during its rough losing stretch.

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Aaliyah Edwards Exits With Knee Injury

The Sun's night got even worse late in the game. Aaliyah Edwards left the floor with a knee injury and did not return, The Hour reported. The severity of the injury was not immediately clear, but losing Edwards mid-game further hampered Connecticut's ability to mount a comeback. Her health will be a key concern going forward for the Sun.

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