The Phoenix Mercury delivered a dominant performance at Mortgage Matchup Center on Thursday, dismantling the visiting Seattle Storm 90-67 to secure a convincing home victory. The 23-point margin left little doubt about which team controlled the contest from start to finish.
Kahleah Copper was the unquestioned engine of Phoenix’s offense, pouring in a game-high 30 points to lead all scorers. Her ability to create and convert kept the Mercury’s attack humming throughout the evening, and Seattle had no reliable answer for her on either end of the floor.
While Copper supplied the firepower, Alyssa Thomas was the connective tissue that made Phoenix’s offense flow. Thomas recorded a double-double with 13 rebounds and a game-high 9 assists, controlling the glass and orchestrating the Mercury’s ball movement with equal authority. Her combination of rebounding and playmaking gave Phoenix consistent second-chance opportunities and kept Seattle’s defense scrambling to rotate.
Seattle’s offensive struggles told much of the story. The Storm shot just 42 percent from the field, connecting on 26 of 62 attempts, and were particularly ineffective from beyond the arc, hitting only 8 of 25 three-point tries for a 32 percent clip. At the free-throw line, Seattle converted just 7 of 12 attempts, good for 58 percent — a number that compounded their scoring difficulties. The Storm also committed 13 turnovers on the night, a costly total that Phoenix was able to exploit in transition.
Seattle’s rebounding was another area of concern. The Storm pulled down just 29 total boards — only 5 of which came on the offensive glass — limiting their opportunities to generate extra possessions against a Mercury team that was already in firm control. Seattle did show some defensive activity, recording 5 steals and 6 blocks, but those bright spots were not enough to offset the broader offensive inefficiency.
For Seattle, Awa Fam led the way with 13 points and 6 rebounds, providing the Storm’s most consistent individual contribution. Jade Melbourne distributed 5 assists to pace Seattle’s playmaking, but the Storm’s supporting cast could not generate enough consistent offense to threaten Phoenix’s lead.
The Mercury’s ability to win the rebounding battle, limit turnovers relative to their opponent, and get elite individual production from Copper and Thomas proved to be an overwhelming combination. Phoenix controlled the tempo and never allowed Seattle to mount a serious run that might have tightened the game.
The lopsided result reinforces Phoenix’s standing as a formidable home team at Mortgage Matchup Center, while Seattle will need to address its shooting efficiency and ball security before its next outing. For the Mercury, this kind of complete performance — balanced between individual brilliance and team-oriented play — is exactly the blueprint they will look to replicate as the WNBA season progresses.
