PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury’s 77-66 loss to the Chicago Sky on Tuesday didn’t just end their three-game winning streak, but also exposed some offensive issues the team still needs to work through.
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Phoenix entered the matchup having won three straight games and eight consecutive meetings against Chicago. Both streaks ended as the Mercury struggled to find any offensive rhythm, committing 20 turnovers that the Sky converted into 25 points.
The Mercury had been playing some of their best basketball of the season, ranking among the WNBA’s top offenses over their last five games. Against Chicago, that identity slipped as Phoenix scored fewer than 20 points in three of the four quarters.
Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) shoots the ball as Chicago Sky forward Azura Stevens (30) defends at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on July 7, 2026. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“The turnovers and the offense were extremely disappointing,” coach Nate Tibbetts said postgame, according to team media. “Over the last five games, we’ve been number one in offense. … We had, I believe, 12 turnovers at the half. A lot of them were unforced.”
Tibbetts said Phoenix looked out of sync from the opening tip.
“We were out of sync from the start,” he said. “The turnovers, we weren’t cutting, we weren’t crashing, it was tough.”
The bigger concern isn’t the loss itself, but whether the Mercury can sustain the momentum they built over the past week. Efficient offense and crisp ball movement defined their three-game winning streak, but Tuesday showed how vulnerable Phoenix can be when that formula breaks down.
Chicago Sky guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) defends Phoenix Mercury forward Valeriane Ayayi (11) at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on July 7, 2026. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“I didn’t feel the chemistry on the floor today,” Monique Akoa Makani said postgame. “I think it’s because we didn’t have rhythm because of the turnovers. [The Sky] were getting advantage of those turnovers.”
Despite the loss, there were individual bright spots. Kahleah Copper scored 25 points while shooting 9-for-19 from the field, marking her fourth straight game with at least 25 points. DeWanna Bonner scored 12 points and became the third player in WNBA history to reach 8,000 career points, joining Diana Taurasi and Tina Charles. Alyssa Thomas finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a season-high four steals.
Jul 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (center) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) and forward Azura Stevens (30) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For a team that had been playing some of its best basketball of the season, Tuesday served as a reminder that its margin for error remains small. If the Mercury want to get into postseason contention during the second half of the season, cleaning up unforced mistakes will be just as important as maintaining the high-powered offense they established before Tuesday night’s loss.
Phoenix wraps up its three-game homestand against the Indiana Fever on Thursday 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
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