TORONTO — On a day when the noise off the court has only intensified, the Phoenix Mercury went into Scotiabank Arena and picked up an 89-80 win over the Toronto Tempo without star Alyssa Thomas.
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Jun 27, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) dribbles the ball against the Toronto Tempo during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Thomas was suspended by the WNBA for one game following a Flagrant 2 foul in a previous matchup involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, missing Saturday’s matchup. Instead of letting the situation affect them, the club tightened and picked up its seventh win of the season while wrapping up a three-game road trip 2-1.
The performance was driven by execution, including a 27-point game from guard Kahleah Copper and a season-high 20 points from forward Valeriane Ayayi, but it was also defined by composure after a turbulent week.
Jun 27, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held (10) dribbles the ball up court against the Toronto Tempo during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
“We’re with [Thomas],” Copper said to The IX Sports’ Dylan Kane postgame. “We just wish it would have been handled the right way. We wish somebody also called her and checked on her and made sure that she was okay. I don’t think it played out how it should have professionally.”
Guard Lexi Held pointed to the conversations following the incident and defended her teammate, saying that’s not who she is or how she is.
“Kind of like [Copper] said, we don’t think it was handled the best way,” Held said. “There’s a lot of narratives going around that are false and untrue…”
Jun 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) and Indiana Fever forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) exchange words in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Even before the opening tip, head coach Nate Tibbetts made his stance clear, publicly supporting Thomas while urging more consistency in league disciplinary reviews.
What followed was a disciplined effort from nearly every player who saw the floor, despite Thomas’ absence and other injuries that have affected the club in recent days. The Mercury’s defense tightened in key stretches, and their offense found enough rhythm to keep Toronto at arm’s length late.
Mercury players on supporting Alyssa Thomas:
“We’re with AT. We just wish it would have been handled the right way. We wish somebody also called her and checked on her and made sure that she was okay. I don’t think it played out how it should have professionally.” – Kahleah…
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 27, 2026
The game was more than just another victory; it was about how the team showed up for its teammate, how leadership set a tone, and how a group under heavy scrutiny responded without faltering.
As the season continues, the conversation around Thomas isn’t likely to fade. But Saturday offered a different story for fans: a team that defined the night by its play and its support for one of its leaders.
Jun 24, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots the ball while Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Mercury will now head back home and prepare to take on the Seattle Storm on Thursday, July 2, 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
Nate Tibbetts stands by Alyssa Thomas, questions WNBA’s suspension process
