PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury opened the 2025 WNBA season with purpose, routing the Seattle Storm 81–59 at PHX Arena— even while missing two key players.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Earlier in the day, the team sent a press release that star guard Kahleah Copper and forward Natasha Mack would be sidelined for several weeks due to injury. That news might have rattled some squads. Instead, Phoenix responded with cohesion and confidence.
Big Numbers in Big Debuts
May 17, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots against the Seattle Storm during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
It wasn’t a question that Phoenix’s offense would prove to be its strength, and they showed out. Satou Sabally scored 27 points and Alyssa Thomas scored 20 points. The duo became just the second Mercury duo to each score 20 or more points in their debut, and the fourth pair in WNBA history.
Monique Akoa-Makani, Alexa Held and Kalani Brown helped Mercury’s offensive onslaught and debuted with the team in the regular season. The Mercury shot for 52% as a team.
May 17, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld (24) shoots against the Seattle Storm during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Nine players made their debuts for Phoenix against the Storm. Thomas knows the significance for her teammates and was impressed with their performance.
“It’s a big moment to come and play, let alone start,” Thomas said. “But they’ve been ready for this moment.”
“It’s a big moment to come and play, let alone start, but they’ve been ready for this moment,” @PhoenixMercury‘s Alyssa Thomas reflects on debuts for some of her teammates in the home opener.#PhoenixMercury #PHXMercury #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/OjORuNN0hc
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) May 18, 2025
Defense Tells the Story
May 17, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Defense was a key theme throughout the Mercury’s training camp, especially for the big three. The Mercury did more than enough to keep Seattle out of the game early. Phoenix outscored the Storm 41-30 at the half, with Alexis Prince racking up eight rebounds and eight defensive rebounds. The Mercury forced 13 turnovers against the Storm.
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts credits the defense as a reason for the win.
“You can’t do good defense without finishing possessions,” he said. “So we did that and that’s important.”
“You can’t do good defense without finishing possessions,” @PhoenixMercury head coach Nate Tibbetts credits the defense in its win against the Seattle Storm.#PhoenixMercury #PHXMercury #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/YpTM6EHvmV
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) May 18, 2025
Skylar Diggins was Seattle’s highest scorer with 21 points and 50% from the field. Nneka Ogwumike also went 50% from the field. However, the rest of the team combined to only shoot 23%.
What’s Next for the Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury will now shift its focus to the Los Angeles Sparks as both teams look for their second win on May 21, at 7 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Mercury to begin season without key players against the Storm
