PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury showed flashes of exactly what makes them dangerous Tuesday night, but their loss to the Toronto Tempo revealed a bigger truth about where this roster currently stands.
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May 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) reacts against the Toronto Tempo in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix has elite-level shot creators; that much is obvious. Even after a slow start, Kahleah Copper eventually found aggressive driving lanes and adjusted her attack rather than forcing difficult looks early. Alyssa Thomas once again became the emotional engine during the Mercury’s late push, controlling tempo and creating opportunities when the offense stalled. Although matchups between high-powered offenses are often decided by which team makes fewer mistakes, not more highlights.
May 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) defends against Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey (3) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Toronto’s Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes consistently punished defensive breakdowns, particularly from the perimeter. Every clean Mabrey look felt automatic, and Phoenix never fully recovered from the defensive scrambling that followed. The Tempo didn’t show dominance; they just had more discipline. The Mercury still had opportunities late, and that’s what makes the loss sting for fans. Missed free throws from Thomas and Copper during a critical stretch, combined with costly turnovers and missed assignments, erased any margin for error in the final minutes.
May 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) celebrates a three point shot against the Toronto Tempo in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
There’s also the question of secondary scoring consistency. After exploding for 27 points previously, Jovana Nogic struggled to find rhythm. For Phoenix to maximize its ceiling, complementary scorers must stabilize the offense when defensive pressure tightens. The encouraging part for Phoenix is that the problems are fixable. The concerning part is that they’ve become familiar.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, and Phoenix Mercury for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
