SEATTLE — The Phoenix Mercury drops its first game of the season against the Seattle Storm, 77-70, as its offense couldn’t get a comeback going in the fourth quarter.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Starting Even
May 23, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler (17) defends Phoenix Mercury guard Sevgi Uzun (10) during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Phoenix and Seattle battled in the first quarter, with Mercury starting 5/5 from the field. Mercury’s Satou Sabally scored nine points in the quarter, with seven other Mercury players contributing.
Seattle’s Skylar Diggins scored nine points for the Storm in the first. Both teams were tied at the end of the first quarter, 24-24.
May 23, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) dribbles the ball while defended by Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
As the second quarter started, the Mercury fell behind the Storm, 30-25. A Kalani Brown free throw was their only point in the quarter with five minutes left.
Alyssa Thomas would get a field shot in and Alexa Held tied the game with a three-pointer with an assist by Kathryn Westbeld, 32-32. Phoenix would take a slight lead into the second half, 44-42, over Seattle.
Turnovers and Stalled Offense
May 23, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown (21) shoots the ball while defended by Seattle Storm center Li Yueru (28) during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Mercury’s offense rolled at the start of the third quarter, stretching its lead to seven with less than four minutes left. However, after three turnovers, Phoenix fell behind Seattle, 62-61, going into the fourth. Mercury had nine turnovers in the third quarter.
Phoenix could not find an offensive answer starting in the fourth, being held scoreless since taking its last lead. Sabally’s free throw with less than seven minutes left broke Seattle’s 12-point barrage. The Mercury still didn’t have a field goal in the fourth with six minutes left.
May 23, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) shoots the ball against the Seattle Storm during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Monique Akoa-Makani sparked a small comeback shooting three shots, including two three-pointers. She tied the game, 70-70. Those would be Phoenix’s only shots in the quarter, as Seattle picked up seven more points to seal the game.
MO! MO! MO!
HUGE THREE POINTER FROM OUR ROOK pic.twitter.com/nqxuzE7EM8
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 24, 2025
Finding Answers
Head coach Nate Tibbets spoke to the media after the game, highlighting his disappointment with the amount of turnovers given up and the pressure that brought. Phoenix gave up 20 to Seattle in the loss.
“To score nine points in the fourth is tough,” he said. “That puts a lot of pressure on your defense. Although our defense battled, we only gave up 15, but we [have] to be better with the turnovers.”
May 23, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts during the first half against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Alyssa Thomas told the media that much of what happened in the last moments was self-inflicted. She said it was expected, considering the team was still new and Seattle was ready to play against Phoenix again.
“A lot of it is just us not being crisp,” Thomas said. “Not playing with tempo. I think we relaxed at times, but like I said. We [have] a lot of new players, we’re still learning each other. This is a great loss for us and we learned a lot tonight.”
Heading Back Home to Rebound
The Phoenix Mercury come home and will face the Washington Mystics on Sunday, May 25 at 3 p.m.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
