The Phoenix Mercury delivered a commanding performance on Saturday night, defeating the Seattle Storm 93-73. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Mercury controlled the tempo for nearly the entire game to secure the 20-point blowout. The victory highlighted Phoenix's depth and efficiency against a depleted Seattle roster.
The decisive moment
The turning point arrived early in the contest, as Phoenix took the lead for good with exactly 10:00 remaining in the second quarter. From that moment on, the Mercury dominated Seattle from start to finish, refusing to relinquish their advantage. Phoenix steadily built their double-digit cushion with an overwhelming offensive attack that left the Storm searching for answers.
By the numbers
- Valeriane Ayayi (PHX): 18 points, 11 rebounds
- Natisha Hiedeman (SEA): 20 points, 4 assists
- Noemie Brochant (PHX): 16 points, 10 assists
- Kahleah Copper (PHX): 17 points, 7 rebounds
The Mercury's balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Storm to handle. Phoenix's offensive execution was stellar, while Seattle struggled to find consistent production outside of Hiedeman.
What it means
This 2026 WNBA Regular Season victory serves as a strong statement for the Mercury, showcasing their ability to execute a dominant game plan. For the Storm, the loss underscores the challenges they face without key rotational pieces. Seattle was notably playing without Ezi Magbegor, who is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a right foot injury, as well as Jordan Horston.
What to watch next
Phoenix will look to carry this momentum forward as they continue navigating the 2026 WNBA Regular Season schedule. Meanwhile, Seattle must regroup and find ways to adjust their rotation while waiting for their injured frontcourt players to heal.