PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury look to take positives away from Friday’s loss against the Las Vegas Aces, 86-83, as the playoff race continues.
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Mercury forward Satou Sabally (L) and Aces guard Jackie Young (0) go for a loose ball during a game at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on Aug. 15, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Mercury and the Aces played a close game, which was decided in the final seconds with Las Vegas up 84-83. Phoenix had the ball with 3.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter before Aces’ Chelsea Gray stole an inbound pass, shooting two free shots to extend the lead to 86.
Mercury’s Satou Sabally had an opportunity to score with .8-seconds left before Gray blocked the shot and sealed the win.
Aug 15, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives on Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Head coach Nate Tibbetts said he was proud of the team for their fight, especially when they were down by 10 at one point in the game.
“[Las Vegas] had all the momentum,” Tibbetts said, according to the team’s post-game recording. “We made some subs, and people came in and really competed. And this is what it’s going to look like moving forward, and this is what it’s going to look like in the playoffs… You want to win those games, but we need to go through this and feel this.”
Aug 15, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) drives on Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Guard Kahleah Copper believes the team only needs to fix “the little things” and acknowledges the importance of these games down the stretch.
“If you imagine this game as a series, it’s something to learn from,” Copper said, according to the team’s post-game recording. “But we understand, you know, what we have to do, but we just gotta be able to make adjustments a little bit quicker.”
Copper doesn’t think the team should dwell on tough losses, like Friday’s, and should instead focus on the next challenge.
“It’s a little bit bigger than just this game,” she said. “We’re trying to head into the playoffs with a little bit of momentum, but what is dwelling on this game going to do for us? I think that’s the kind of mindset you got to have. It’s just a short-term memory about the loss.”
Mercury forward Kathryn Westfield (24) and guard Sami Whitcomb (33) cheer on their teammates during a game at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on Aug. 15, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Despite the loss, Phoenix continues in fourth place in the standings with a 19-13 record.
The Mercury hope that games like against the Aces will continue to propel them in the right direction, learn from and make a playoff push.
KAHLEAH FREAKIN’ COPPER IN THE CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/xXYYWUvGJe
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 16, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury will be back on the road as they visit the Seattle Storm on Sunday, Aug. 17.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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