The Phoenix Mercury enter their home game against the Dallas Wings on Saturday on a three-game winning streak, their longest since June 2022.
Their best result so far was a 98-88 road victory over the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday. The Mercury (3-1) tied a franchise record by making 16 shots from 3-point range at Las Vegas before hitting 10 more in an 83-80 victory over the visiting Washington Mystics on Thursday.
Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi each scored 20 points against the Mystics. Natasha Cloud, playing against her former team after spending eight seasons with Washington, added 14 points and 10 assists.
Cloud’s playmaking ability helped Phoenix in a decisive 15-0 run in the third quarter that allowed the Mercury to take a 60-46 lead. Cloud had three assists during the run.
“I don’t need to see a box score; Natasha is a winner,” Taurasi said. “She’s brought that grit. She’s given me life. She’s giving this team life.”
Brittney Griner (foot) did not play and is questionable for the game against Dallas.
The Wings (1-2) have lost their last two games after winning their season opener against the Chicago Sky.
The game against the Mercury is the second of five straight road games. They lost 83-78 at the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday.
Three Wings players scored at least 20 points, with Arike Ogunbowale producing a game-high 24 points. She is averaging 28 ppg, second in the league behind Copper (28.5).
Reserve Teaira McCowan had 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field and finished with 14 rebounds. Monique Billings had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Billings played for the Dream for six seasons before signing with the Wings as a free agent this season after Natasha Howard went down with a broken foot on May 17.
“A lot of emotions,” Billings said. “I feel like I was just embraced by everyone from Atlanta. From the fans, to the people in the organization, my teammates, coaches, so I’m really grateful for that.
“I’m grateful for my new team. They’ve embraced me too. It’s crazy, a week ago I wasn’t even on a team. Here I am on a team. Just all the feels. Taking nothing for granted.”
–Field Level Media