PHOENIX — DeWanna Bonner scored a season-high 21 points and the Phoenix Mercury snapped a five-game losing streak with a 72-63 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.
Bonner, who also added seven rebounds and three assists, was the focal point of a Mercury offense that shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and built a 10-point lead at the break. Kahleah Copper contributed 18 points, with 12 coming after halftime, including a crucial driving layup and two free throws that stretched Phoenix's lead to 67-62 with under four minutes remaining.
Monique Akoa Makani chipped in 11 points for the Mercury (9-18), who also ended a three-game home skid. Natasha Mack made her return after missing eight games with a foot injury, providing four points, five rebounds, a steal and a block in 20 minutes off the bench.
Brittney Griner led the Sun (7-19) with 19 points, while Olivia Nelson-Ododa posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Leila Lacan, who had scored a career-high 26 points against Phoenix in Friday's 96-83 win, was held to seven points on 2-of-9 shooting and committed a career-high nine turnovers.
The Mercury capitalized on Connecticut's sloppiness, scoring 22 points off the Sun's season-high 21 turnovers. The turning point came when Charlisse Leger-Walker converted a three-point play to pull the Sun within one point at 63-62 with 4:42 left. Copper immediately answered with a driving layup, then hit two free throws on the next possession. A Thomas-to-Bonner alley-oop with the ensuing and-one free throw made it an eight-point game with 1:44 to play.
Connecticut's Aaliyah Edwards left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return. Aneesah Morrow (reconditioning) and Saniya Rivers (ankle/foot) were also unavailable for the Sun.
Phoenix next visits Los Angeles on Wednesday, while Connecticut travels to Indiana.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/sun-mercury-score-0cd1343f1ed25b93e4a7833ff058dc5f
