LOS ANGELES — The Phoenix Mercury continued to use “team” basketball as they defeated the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night, 92-84.
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Aug 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5), Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) and Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson (2) battle for a loose ball during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Mercury and the Sparks played a close game, with Los Angeles playing from behind most of the game. The Sparks made it interesting as they pulled within six points in the final 25.1 seconds, 90-84. However, Phoenix kept them scoreless the rest of the quarter and added two more points in the win.
Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas secured her league-leading seventh triple-double this season, with 16 rebounds, 15 assists and 12 points.
Aug 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) is defended by Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) as she drives to the basket during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Phoenix’s bench outscored Los Angeles’, 39-13, and showcased “team” basketball that Thomas believes needs to be done more consistently.
“When we’re playing team basketball, taking easy, open shots were really hard to guard,” she said on Aug. 22 after their win against the Golden State Valkyries, according to the team’s post-game recording. “And we can’t pick and choose when we want to play like that.”
Aug 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) is defended by Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) as she drives to the basket during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
With the win against the Sparks, the Mercury are now 12-0 when five or more players score in double digits. Thomas, along with Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb, scored 10 or more points in the victory.
“That’s what makes us dangerous, when we share the ball,” said Thomas after Tuesday’s win, according to Desert Wave Media. “It can be anybody’s night each and every night. We just gotta continue to play like this. This is Mercury basketball.”
Aug 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury players and staff pose for a team photo prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Phoenix is now 23-14, with its magic number down to two to clinch a playoff berth.
The Mercury will look to keep their unselfish style going, trusting that team basketball remains their winning formula as their playoff spot is in sight.
Alyssa Thomas did it all in a historic performance leading the @PhoenixMercury to a win over the Sparks 92-84 ⭐️
✔️ Made WNBA history as the only player to record at least 10 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds in a single game
✔️ Recorded her seventh triple-double of the… pic.twitter.com/Wo1FQI04u8— WNBA (@WNBA) August 27, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury will head home and face the Chicago Sky on Thursday, Aug. 28.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Mercury to build on momentum and consistency against Los Angeles Sparks
