The Phoenix Mercury and the Connecticut Sun gave fans a close and exciting WNBA game this season. Both teams fought hard until the last minute. In the end, the Connecticut Sun won the game with a score of 75 to 72. This article breaks down the full player stats, team performance, and key moments from the match. If you want to understand how the game was won and which players stood out, keep reading.
Match Overview
The game was played at Connecticut’s home court. The Sun controlled the game in short bursts, but the Mercury stayed close for most of the match. Here is how the scoring looked by quarter:
| Quarter | Connecticut Sun | Phoenix Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 18 | 27 |
| 2nd | 14 | 13 |
| 3rd | 17 | 9 |
| 4th | 26 | 23 |
| Final | 75 | 72 |
Phoenix started strong. They scored 27 points in the first quarter and looked like they might run away with the game. But Connecticut fought back in the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 17 to 9. That quarter changed the direction of the game. In the fourth quarter, both teams scored well, but Connecticut held on to win by 3 points.
Team Stats Breakdown
Let’s look at the full team numbers to understand how each side played.
Connecticut Sun Team Stats
- Field goals: 27 made out of 57 attempts (47.4%)
- Three pointers: 7 made out of 20 attempts (35%)
- Free throws: 14 made out of 20 attempts (70%)
- Rebounds: 44 total (31 defensive, 3 offensive from starters, plus team rebounds)
- Assists: 19
- Steals: 5
- Blocks: 5
- Turnovers: 18
- Bench points: 39
Phoenix Mercury Team Stats
- Field goals: 27 made out of 68 attempts (39.7%)
- Three pointers: 5 made out of 28 attempts (17.9%)
- Free throws: 13 made out of 23 attempts (56.5%)
- Rebounds: 43 total (23 defensive, 6 offensive from starters, plus team rebounds)
- Assists: 19
- Steals: 10
- Blocks: 1
- Turnovers: 11
- Bench points: 9
These numbers tell an important story. Connecticut shot the ball much better than Phoenix, especially from three point range. The Sun made 35% of their threes, while the Mercury only made 17.9%. This difference in shooting was one of the biggest reasons Connecticut won the game.
On the other side, Phoenix did a great job forcing turnovers. They had 10 steals compared to Connecticut’s 5. Phoenix also had fewer turnovers than Connecticut, which shows they took care of the ball well. But even with better ball control, missed three point shots hurt their chances of winning.
Connecticut’s bench also made a big difference. Their bench players scored 39 points, while Phoenix’s bench only added 9 points. This gap in bench scoring gave Connecticut extra firepower that Phoenix could not match.
Top Player Performances
Now let’s look closely at the players who had the biggest impact on the game.
Kelsey Plum (Phoenix Mercury)
Kelsey Plum was the top scorer of the match. She finished with 25 points, shooting 9 out of 16 from the field. She also made 3 three pointers out of 7 attempts. Plum added 3 assists and pulled her weight on defense. Even though her team lost, her scoring kept Phoenix in the game until the end.
Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury)
Kahleah Copper had a strong all around game. She scored 16 points and added 4 assists. Copper also grabbed 2 steals on defense. She worked hard in the paint, scoring 10 of her 16 points close to the basket.
Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury)
Alyssa Thomas showed why she is known for doing a bit of everything on the court. She recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Thomas also drew 8 fouls from the other team, showing how often she attacked the basket. Her all around effort helped Phoenix stay competitive.
DeWanna Bonner (Phoenix Mercury)
DeWanna Bonner focused on rebounding in this game. She grabbed 11 rebounds, the most of any player on the court. Bonner struggled with her shot, making only 3 of 12 attempts, but her work on the boards gave Phoenix extra chances to score.
Kennedy Burke (Connecticut Sun)
Kennedy Burke was one of the most efficient players in the game. She scored 15 points on just 7 shot attempts, making 5 of them. Burke also made 2 of her 4 three point attempts. Her efficient shooting helped Connecticut keep pace with Phoenix early in the game.
Aaliyah Edwards (Connecticut Sun)
Aaliyah Edwards had a strong game inside the paint. She scored 14 points on 5 of 7 shooting and grabbed 8 rebounds. Edwards also made 4 of her 5 free throw attempts. Her presence near the basket gave Connecticut a reliable scoring option throughout the game.
Brittney Griner (Connecticut Sun)
Brittney Griner added 5 points and 7 rebounds in this match. She also had 4 assists and 2 blocks, showing her impact on both ends of the court. Although her shooting was not at its best, her defense and rebounding helped Connecticut control the paint.
Charlisse Leger-Walker (Connecticut Sun)
Leger-Walker had a great shooting night. She made 2 of her 3 three point attempts and finished with 6 points. She also added 5 assists, helping set up her teammates for good scoring chances.
Key Moments That Decided the Game
A few key moments stood out in this match:
- Phoenix’s fast start: The Mercury came out strong in the first quarter, scoring 27 points. This early lead put pressure on Connecticut early in the game.
- Connecticut’s third quarter run: The Sun turned things around in the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 17 to 9. This run gave Connecticut the lead they needed heading into the final quarter.
- Three point shooting gap: Connecticut’s much better three point shooting (35% compared to Phoenix’s 17.9%) was one of the clearest reasons for the final result.
- Bench scoring: Connecticut’s bench outscored Phoenix’s bench by a wide margin, 39 points to 9 points. This extra scoring gave the Sun the edge they needed to win a close game.
- Fourth quarter finish: Both teams scored well in the final quarter, but Connecticut managed the clock and their shots better, holding on to win 75 to 72.
What This Match Means for Both Teams
For the Connecticut Sun, this win shows the strength of their bench and their ability to shoot well from outside. Players like Kennedy Burke and Charlisse Leger-Walker gave the team much needed scoring depth. Connecticut’s balanced attack, with contributions from multiple players, made them hard to stop once they found their rhythm in the second half.
For the Phoenix Mercury, this loss points to a few areas that need work. Their three point shooting was not sharp, and their bench did not provide enough scoring support. However, players like Kelsey Plum, Kahleah Copper, and Alyssa Thomas showed strong individual performances. If Phoenix can get more consistent shooting from their bench and improve their outside shooting, they can turn close losses like this into wins.
Final Thoughts
The Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun match was a great example of how small details can decide a close basketball game. Connecticut’s sharp three point shooting and strong bench scoring gave them the win, even though Phoenix fought hard until the final buzzer. Individual performances from Kelsey Plum, Kennedy Burke, and Aaliyah Edwards stood out as some of the best of the night.
Games like this show why WNBA basketball keeps growing in popularity. Every possession matters, and player stats tell the real story behind each win and loss. Whether you follow the Mercury, the Sun, or just enjoy watching great basketball, this match offered plenty of exciting moments and strong individual efforts worth remembering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun match?
The Connecticut Sun won the game with a final score of 75 to 2 over the Phoenix Mercury.
Who was the top scorer in the match?
Kelsey Plum of the Phoenix Mercury was the top scorer, finishing with 25 points on efficient shooting.
What was the biggest reason Connecticut Sun won the game?
Connecticut Sun’s strong three point shooting and much higher bench scoring were the main reasons they won this close match. They shot 35% from three point range compared to Phoenix’s 17.9%, and their bench scored 39 points compared to Phoenix’s 9.
