Mercury win, streak ends
Phoenix Mercury snap seven-game skid, beat Storm 72-68 behind Mack's career-high 16
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The Phoenix Mercury snapped a painful seven-game losing streak on June 3, beating the Seattle Storm 72–68 in Seattle. Natasha Mack delivered a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds, giving Phoenix the interior presence it has desperately needed all season, according to AP News.
The win moves Phoenix to 3–8 on the year. It does not fix everything. But after a stretch that included a 111–77 blowout loss to Minnesota, the Mercury finally had something to celebrate.
Mack and Copper Carry Mercury to the Finish
Mack, a center, set a new career best with 16 points on efficient shooting. She also pulled down 10 rebounds, finishing with a double-double. AP News reported she made a "loud impact" throughout the game. Kahleah Copper matched her output with 16 points of her own. Copper entered the game averaging 18.4 points per game this season.
Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner delivered when it mattered most. She pushed the Mercury lead to 68–61 with a jumper and a fast-break layup with 2:39 left in the fourth quarter, according to Las Vegas Sun. Phoenix held on from there and closed it out at 72–68.
Mercury Grind Out a Halftime Edge Despite Cold Shooting
This was not a pretty game. Phoenix shot below 40% for much of the night. Still, the Mercury led 36–33 at halftime, according to AP News. Defense, not offense, set the tone early.
With 5:37 left in the fourth quarter, Copper hit a key basket to put Phoenix ahead 61–59. The Mercury did not trail again. Coach Nate Tibbetts had faced heavy criticism during the losing streak. His defensive adjustments helped hold Seattle to just 68 points.
Storm Rookie Awa Fam Shines in a Losing Effort
Seattle's 19-year-old rookie center Awa Fam led the Storm with 18 points. She was the third overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Analysts at WNBA.com have called her a "dynamic young talent" with "tremendous upside." Veteran guard Natisha Hiedeman added 15 points for Seattle.
The loss drops Seattle to 3–8 and extends their own losing streak to four games. The Storm are now seen as a team in development mode. The focus in Seattle remains on Fam's growth rather than the win-loss record right now.
A Season Built on Pressure After Griner's Departure
This Mercury team is playing its first full season without Brittney Griner, who signed with the Connecticut Sun after 11 years in Phoenix, according to Fox Sports. That left a massive hole in the middle. Mack's career-high performance suggests she may now step into a larger starting role to fill that gap.
Before the game, Copper said the team was "searching" and "looking in the mirror," according to PHNX Sports. The Mercury finished as WNBA Finals runners-up in 2025. At 3–8, they trail the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Lynx, who sit at 7–2. One win does not fix the standings. But it may fix the mood.
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