ATLANTA — The Phoenix Mercury had one of its toughest losses this season against the Atlanta Dream, 96-72, on Friday evening.
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Aug 1, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) drives to the basket against Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld (24) during the first half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The game mirrored their loss against the Atlanta Fever on Wednesday, with the Mercury starting strong but unable to carry the same momentum into the rest of the game. Phoenix was held to one of its lowest-scoring quarters of the season, scoring only eight points in the third quarter.
Phoenix has only won one of its last four games on the road trip — a stark difference from the team’s last road trip in June. The Mercury went on to sweep a four-game road trip that month, without everyone healthy.
Aug 1, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) shoots over Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the first half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Now, the Mercury are searching for answers as they haven’t been able to find a groove despite having everyone back.
Head coach Nate Tibbetts spoke to the media after Friday’s game about the differences between this road trip stretch and the one back in June.
“I think defensively we haven’t been able to lean in on the defense,” he said. “[It] puts a ton of pressure on your offense. Just bringing people back from injuries, trying to get healthy. Kind of all of the above.”
Aug 1, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) shoots under the basket against Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones (24) during the first half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Guard Sami Whitcomb said the outcomes have been the most obvious difference in both road trips. She acknowledged that they are having issues defensively, calling it the team’s “DNA.”
“We’re trying to push through that we’re trying to, you know, see which lineups work,” Whitcomb said. “Literally, just figure it out right now. But yeah, we’re obviously not doing it in a way that is resulting in dubs at the moment. And that’s probably the difference.”
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— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 2, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury will look to salvage the road trip as they head to Illinois to face the Chicago Sky on Sunday, Aug. 3.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
