PHOENIX—The Phoenix Mercury has continued to assert its presence on both ends, particularly highlighted by its 16-point comeback victory over the Chicago Sky in front of its fans, known as the X-Factor, at home on Tuesday.
The Mercury’s strong bench production, effective three-point shooting, and heightened defensive intensity have significantly contributed to their success. With this improvement, Phoenix has a record of 4-1 for the sixth time in franchise history, marking their best start since 2014, the year they also won the championship.
The team also has a 4-0 record at home through four games for the first time, having won each of their four games since starting 5-0 at home in 2009, when they won their second championship in franchise history.
Not to mention that the last three times the Mercury had a record of 4-1 through five games, Phoenix ended up winning championships in 2007, 2009, and 2014.
“The last couple of games that we don’t give up,” Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said postgame. “We don’t give up. We believe in each other. We’re going to keep fighting. Even though, when it’s not going great. The belief is that trust is fun to watch, especially for a new group. We’re all figuring it out together, and to have some of the wins that we’ve had already, it’s pretty special.”
Phoenix Mercury Rookies Shine Again in Win Over Chicago Sky
The Mercury rookies once again had a positive impact on the game on both ends of the court. Guards Monique Akoa Makani, Lexi Held, Kitjia Laksa, and forward Kathryn Westbeld each scored three or more three-pointers for Phoenix. This achievement marks the first time in WNBA history that a team has had four rookies make three or more three-pointers each in the same game.
The Mercury’s rookie quartet has made a remarkable total of 37 three-pointers this season, setting a record for the most three-pointers made by rookies through the first five games in WNBA history. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 30 three-pointers set by the 1999 Orlando Miracle.
The previous record for the Phoenix Mercury rookies was 18 three-pointers made in the first five games, set back in 2004. Coach Tibbetts and the staff have great confidence in rookie starters Akoa Makani and Westbeld. Meanwhile, Held and Laksa provide valuable support off the bench, boosting the team’s performance.
“Everything is encouraged,” Tibbetts said. “I want us to play free and play with space. I guess a lot of it was more my disappointment with the defensive end, I thought we got some really good looks in the first half and we didn’t hit them. We’ve relied on our defense to win some of these games, which is awesome, and tonight it was definitely our offense in the second half.”
Laksa scored 18 of the Mercury’s 35 bench points, contributing to a dominant performance in which the team outscored the Sky 35-10 in that category. Laksa was one of five players to reach double figures in the team’s victory on Tuesday.
“It was a tough game that we didn’t expect it to be so tough,” Laksa said postgame. “We made it a little bit like that, but at the end of the day, it was our character. We came back with our character and came back with the fighting spirit that we have. For me personally, did you look at her stats and how many assists (Alyssa Thomas) got? I’m just enjoying playing here with the people that we have and I’m just doing my part when they are trusting me.”
Held recorded her third consecutive game with three steals, becoming the only rookie for the Mercury to achieve this since the team’s inaugural season in 1997. Westbeld scored in double digits for the first time in her career, finishing with 13 points, and also recorded a season-high of three blocks, the most by a player since her Notre Dame teammate Brianna Turner did so in 2019.
What started the Mercury’s comeback in the second half
In the third quarter, Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot scored a running layup to extend the team’s lead to 16 over the Mercury with under six minutes remaining in the third quarter. After that, Phoenix went on a 22-9 run to cut the Sky’s deficit to four as they carried its momentum into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the game was tightly contested between the Mercury and the Sky until Phoenix outscored Chicago 27-18 and made eight three-pointers, ultimately securing a comeback victory.
More importantly, the Mercury had only nine turnovers and took care of the ball throughout the game, which is crucial since Phoenix has emphasized this throughout the season.
“I think it shows our character,” Laksa said. “It shows that we can fight and come back. Obviously, it’s not ideal to get ourselves in trouble in the first place, but in the end it shows that we’re capable of coming back and we’re just fighters. We’re not going to lie down and let it go and move onto the next one –that’s not going to happen. So, I think we should be proud of ourselves. The fans were amazing tonight and they pushed us, which also helped.”
Forward Satou Sabally had another impressive night for the Mercury with 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals while playing nearly 33 minutes of action. She is averaging 19.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game through five games.
Sabally’s 99 points are the third-most in franchise history by a player through the first five games with the Mercury, only trailing guard Cappie Pondexter’s 115 in 2006 and guard Kahleah Copper’s 146 points in 2024.
Alyssa Thomas’ leadership and her will to win
Alyssa Thomas’s leadership is notable for both the veterans and rookies of the Mercury. She joined the team from the Connecticut Sun, where she played a vital role in their recent successes, including eight consecutive playoff appearances and two trips to the WNBA Finals. Now, she is aiming to win her first championship with Phoenix while continuing to build on her resume to her legacy throughout her WNBA career.
The first to ever do it.
With a stat line or 15 assists, 10 points, and 7 rebounds – AT becomes the first player in WNBA history to record 10/5/5 in each of her first five games of a season. pic.twitter.com/9JTXkw1gjL
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 28, 2025
Thomas made WNBA history by becoming the first player to achieve at least 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists in each of her first five games of the season. Additionally, she tied the franchise record for assists by matching the 15 assists set by Pondexter against the Sacramento Monarchs on July 15, 2009.
Thomas mentioned that one of the reasons she decided to sign with the Mercury is their strong legacy, highlighted by influential players such as Michele Timms and Bridget Pettis in their original days— and Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner, and Brittney Griner throughout the late 2000s and 2010s. The Phoenix Mercury is one of the three founding teams of the WNBA that continues to compete in the league today and has won three WNBA Championships.
“It’s an honor,” Thomas said. “Definitely a reason why I came here with the history and all the players, but credit goes to my teammates. They hit the open shots and it’s really them, not me. When everyone’s keening in, trying to double-team me, it’s on them and they hit the open ones.”
Why Alyssa Thomas Makes Everyone Around Her Better On the Phoenix Mercury
During the game, Thomas delivered an impressive performance for the Mercury, finishing with 10 points, seven rebounds, 15 assists, three steals, and two blocks. This achievement marks the first time in WNBA history that a player has recorded at least these totals in each of these categories within a single game.
The team admires Thomas’ ability to win at all costs and to elevate rookies to new levels in their style of play. Although the Phoenix Mercury have moved on from Griner and Taurasi this past offseason, the new trio of Thomas, Sabally, and Copper gives fans optimism about contending for a championship and bringing one back to Phoenix for the first time since 2014.
“I think if you’ve watched me play over the years, I’ve always had confidence in my teammates,” Thomas said. “I’ve watched them work hard each and every day. We’re right in the gym working together. For me, I’m always about the easy shot, and when they’re open, I’m going to find them.”
Tibbetts is currently in his second season as the head coach of the Mercury and feels more at ease compared to his first year. During his first season, he learned important lessons from Taurasi, who was the main reason he decided to accept the head coaching position.
Tibbetts is noticing the confidence the Mercury has shown in three-point shooting and is emphasizing defense, all thanks to Thomas’ leadership.
“You’ve got to have great players to be good and she’s one of them,” Tibbetts said. “I just noticed 15 assists about 10 minutes ago, and she probably could have had 20 if we’d made more shots in the first half. AT (Alyssa Thomas) is starting to gain trust by seeing our young players make shots. They’re not afraid, they keep firing away. We talk about throwing strikes, not balls, she throws strikes every time.”
Monique Akoa Makani’s Presence
Akoa Makani is proving herself as a rookie to watch for the WNBA All-Rookie Team through her impressive performance as a point guard and her three-point shooting skills. She scored nine of her total 13 points by making three three-pointers, helping the Mercury secure a crucial victory over the Sky at home after trailing by 16 points in the third quarter.
LET HER TALK 🗣️🫶 pic.twitter.com/5eUIjS0njB
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 28, 2025
Akoa Makani has become the first rookie for the Mercury to score 10 or more points in four consecutive games since Brittney Griner accomplished this feat in 2013. Additionally, she has matched Diana Taurasi’s record from 2004 for the longest streak of making three or more three-pointers in four straight games.
Akoa Makani and Westbeld also became the first set of rookies to start each of their first five games of a season for the Mercury since 1997, when Timms, Pettis, Jennifer Gillom, and Toni Foster each started in the season’s five games. No individual Mercury rookie had started the season’s first five games since Australian forward Stephanie Talbot in 2017.
Through five games, Akoa Makani is averaging 10.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Throughout the last four games, she is averaging 12.8 points, 51.5 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from the three-point range. As I mentioned Akoa Makani’s name in my Rookie of the Year candidates story for Ballislife, she has been making a huge difference for the Mercury based on her contributions and confidence Tibbetts and the coaching staff has.
Kahleah Copper Back on the Practice Court
Copper was seen in the Mercury’s shootaround putting up shots with Tibbetts before the game, which is a good sign considering that she wants to make progress and ensure she’s fully healthy in the long term this season.
“It was exciting to see her out on the court,” Tibbetts said pregame. “I don’t think she will be ready tomorrow or the next day, but we’re making strides. The plan originally was 4 to 6 weeks, and I don’t think that has changed.”
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper is putting up shots in today’s shoot around. #WNBA @Ballislife pic.twitter.com/6V4OXO2QRl
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) May 27, 2025
Once Copper returns from her left knee injury with the Mercury, the backcourt duo of her and Akoa Makani will be an exciting combination for Phoenix. Copper is recognized for her dynamic scoring ability, while Akoa Makani is known for her aggressive defense and three-point shooting.
“We love Mo,” Copper said in the Mercury locker room after the victory on Tuesday. “Mo money, Mo problems.”
The Phoenix Mercury will play against Napheesa Collier and the undefeated Minnesota Lynx at home on Friday, just before the start of the Commissioner’s Cup across the league.
