The Phoenix Mercury are preparing to play the Los Angeles Sparks in a Commissioner's Cup game on their home court this Saturday. This comes after a demanding period of road games for the team. Despite winning the first two matches of their recent four-game, eleven-day road trip, the Mercury ultimately lost the subsequent two, contributing to a 2-8 record since May 19th. The team currently holds a 4-10 overall standing and a 2-3 record in the Commissioner's Cup. Coach Nate Tibbetts has expressed dissatisfaction with the team's overall approach and unity, particularly after an 85-70 defeat against Dallas, highlighting the need for improved consistency and focus.
The Mercury's offensive performance has been a significant concern, ranking 13th out of 15 teams in points per game with an average of 80.8, and their field-goal accuracy stands at 41.5%. The team continues to struggle with filling the void left by free agent Satou Sabally, who was a key player, averaging 16.3 points last season when the Mercury reached the WNBA Finals. Reserve guard Lexi Held, who scored 17 points in the Dallas game, emphasized the importance of achieving more consistently positive possessions to turn their performance around.
In their previous encounter this season, the Los Angeles Sparks triumphed over the Mercury with a 97-88 victory on May 21st in Phoenix. During that game, Sparks forward Dearica Hamby delivered an exceptional performance, recording season highs with 27 points and 15 rebounds. This win marked the beginning of the Sparks' first winning streak of the current season. The Sparks extended their winning streak to two games on Wednesday night, largely due to the efforts of 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, who scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds against her former team, leading her team to an 88-83 victory in Seattle.
Kelsey Plum also made significant contributions to the Sparks' recent success, adding 19 points and 11 assists in the game against Seattle. Her two free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining were crucial in securing the win after the Storm's Natisha Hiedeman missed a potential game-tying three-pointer. Plum praised Ogwumike's aggressive play, stating it set the tone for the team. Ogwumike's composure was also highlighted by Sparks coach Lynne Roberts, who noted her ability to make sound decisions under pressure. Ogwumike's impressive performance also saw her surpass Rebekkah Brunson for fourth place in WNBA career rebounds, accumulating 3,363 career boards. Despite a 38.7% shooting accuracy against Seattle, the Sparks dominated the boards with a 38-35 rebounding advantage, converting 13 offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points, demonstrating their resilience and ability to win even when not at their best offensively.
As the Phoenix Mercury return home to face the Los Angeles Sparks, they are confronted with the urgent task of revitalizing their offense and finding greater cohesion as a team. The Sparks, on the other hand, enter the matchup with strong momentum, aiming to extend their winning streak and build upon their past success against the Mercury. This upcoming game presents a critical opportunity for the Mercury to demonstrate improved performance and teamwork on their home court, while the Sparks will seek to maintain their winning form.
