PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury held on to a nail-biter against the Los Angeles Sparks, winning 89-86 in tense last moments.
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Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally shoots against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 21, 2025. Credit: Hannah Hayworth / Burn City Sports
The Mercury continued its offensive power, with Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas leading the scoring again with a combined 44 points. Sabally made Mercury history once again, becoming the first player to score 25 or more points in her first two games of a season.
Monique Akoa Makani scored 11 points, with 50% from the field and for three.
Phoenix Mercury center Murjanatu Musa (20) and guard Kitija Laksa (9) slap hands during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on May 21, 2025.
Overseas players Murjanatu Musa and Kitija Laksa made their Mercury debuts tonight. Musa secured her first rebound and Laksa scored nine points, going 33% from the field and 38% for three.
Laksa spoke to the media about debuting on her birthday, saying it was an amazing experience.
“I don’t think I could’ve wished for a better birthday present,” she said.
Kathryn Westbeld led in rebounds with six, with Sabally, Thomas, and Kalani Brown behind her with five each.
A Fourth Quarter Showdown
Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum dribbles past Phoenix Mercury’s Alexa Held on May 21, 2025. Credits – Hannah Hayworth / Burn City Sports
Mercury’s defense struggled to keep a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, and led the Sparks by one, 78-77, with minutes left in the quarter.
Both teams battled, with Phoenix gaining a small 87-84 lead on a Sabally free throw with 14 seconds left.
Sparks’ Kelsey Plum made one last shot with four seconds left on the clock, hoping for a three. However, her foot was on the three-point line and could only cut Phoenix’s lead to one, 87-86. Sabally made two free throws in the final seconds, sealing Mercury’s win.
May 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum drives on Phoenix Mercury forward Monique Akoa Makani in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts spoke on the lead changes, citing bad possessions and execution. However, he credits the team for going 2-0 without full strength.
“These are the games you want to win early in the season that are going to help you later,” Tibbetts said.
Plum led Los Angeles’ scoring with 25 points, 37% from the field and 45% from three. Azura Stevens led the Sparks with 17 rebounds.
Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas with a spin cycle against the Sparks.
Credits: @HannahHayworth #PhoenixMercury #PHXMercury pic.twitter.com/o4uNLTngi0
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) May 22, 2025
On to the Next
Phoenix heads on the road for the first time this season against the Seattle Storm on Friday, May 23 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 looks to stay hot against the Sparks in a West Coast showdown
