Mercury's Streak Ends
Phoenix Mercury End Four-Game Skid with Dominant 93-73 Victory Over Seattle Storm
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The Phoenix Mercury snapped a four-game losing streak with a commanding 93-73 win over the Seattle Storm on June 20, extending Seattle's skid to 10 straight losses, according to AP. French rookie Valeriane Ayayi led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, while Kahleah Copper added 17 points in the rout at the Footprint Center.
The win moves Phoenix to 5-12 on the season. Seattle falls deeper into last place in the Western Conference at 3-14. The Storm's 10-game losing streak is one of the worst stretches in franchise history, AP reported.
A 14-0 Third-Quarter Run Broke the Game Open
Seattle actually led 24-19 after the first quarter, shooting a sharp 48% from the field. Natisha Hiedeman paced the Storm with 11 first-half points. But Phoenix flipped the script in the second quarter with back-to-back runs — first an 8-0 burst, then a 13-0 spurt fueled by three-pointers from Noemie Brochant, DeWanna Bonner, and Ayayi — to lead 48-41 at halftime, according to WRAL.
The Mercury put the game away fast in the third quarter. Phoenix opened with a 14-0 run, pushing the lead to 62-41 within three minutes. Copper capped the run with a layup at the 7:08 mark, according to Field Level Media. Seattle finished shooting just 36% for the game — a collapse from their first-quarter pace.
French Rookies Ayayi and Brochant Carry Phoenix's Offense
Ayayi, a French Olympic silver medalist signed in April 2026, posted career highs in points and rebounds. She came off the bench and gave Phoenix a spark it badly needed. Brochant was equally impressive, finishing with 16 points and 10 assists for a double-double. Head Coach Nate Tibbetts praised her, saying "I just love her pace of play. She plays extremely fast... our veterans believe in her," according to WNBA.com.
Center Natasha Mack rounded out a strong performance for Phoenix with 10 points and 10 rebounds — giving the Mercury three double-doubles in one game. Copper also made franchise history this season, surpassing Skylar Diggins for 9th all-time in field goals made for Phoenix, according to The Podium Finish.
Seattle's 10-Game Skid Ranks Among Worst in Franchise History
The Storm's losing streak has exposed deep roster problems. Key defensive player Jordan Horston has been hurt, and international pieces like center Awa Fam — the No. 3 overall pick — are still getting up to speed. Fam grabbed 10 rebounds but struggled to make an impact offensively. Hiedeman led Seattle with 20 points, but it wasn't enough, according to CBS Sports.
Coach Sonia Raman struck an optimistic tone despite the result. She said "the more they get comfortable playing with each other, the more their unselfishness... is showing up," according to Field Level Media. Critics, however, point to Seattle's 36% shooting as proof that chemistry alone won't fix the Storm's current slump.
What Comes Next for Both Teams
Phoenix faces a quick turnaround, traveling to take on the Indiana Fever on Monday. The strong play of Ayayi and Brochant may push Coach Tibbetts to shake up his starting lineup as the Mercury try to climb out of the bottom of the West, according to AP.
Seattle heads home to host the Dallas Wings. Before this loss, Phoenix had been allowing an average of 86.8 points per game on defense. Holding the Storm to just 73 points is a promising sign — but with only five wins in 17 games, the Mercury know one strong night is just a start, according to Field Level Media.
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