The Phoenix Mercury delivered one of their most complete performances of the 2026 WNBA season Saturday night, defeating the Seattle Storm 93-73 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. After dropping four consecutive games, the Mercury responded with a dominant second-half performance that showcased balanced scoring, strong defense, and outstanding ball movement.

With the victory, Phoenix improved to 5-12 on the season while Seattle fell to 3-14 and extended its losing streak to ten games.

Storm Strike First
Seattle came into Phoenix desperate to end its own skid and looked sharp early. The Storm shot efficiently in the opening quarter and built a 24-19 lead behind aggressive offensive play and timely perimeter shooting.

Natisha Hiedeman led the early charge for Seattle, attacking the basket and creating opportunities for her teammates.

Phoenix struggled to find offensive rhythm during the first ten minutes and appeared headed for another difficult night.

However, the Mercury had other plans.

Mercury Take Control Before Halftime
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter.

Phoenix tightened its defense, controlled the boards, and began pushing the pace in transition. The Mercury outscored Seattle 29-17 during the period, turning a five-point deficit into a seven-point halftime advantage.

The balanced attack became the difference. Rather than relying on a single star, Phoenix received production from multiple players, forcing Seattle's defense to defend every possession.

By halftime, the Mercury had seized control and energized the crowd of 9,662 fans.

Third Quarter Explosion Buries Seattle
The decisive moment came immediately after halftime.

Phoenix opened the third quarter with a stunning 14-0 run that effectively put the game out of reach. The Mercury were relentless on both ends of the floor, converting turnovers into points and dominating the paint.

Seattle simply had no answer.

The Mercury outscored the Storm 33-20 during the third quarter and pushed the lead beyond twenty points. Every key possession seemed to favor Phoenix as the home team executed nearly flawlessly.

By the time the fourth quarter began, the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Valeriane Ayayi Leads the Way
Valeriane Ayayi delivered one of her best performances of the season, recording a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Ayayi was a force throughout the game, attacking the glass, finishing around the basket, and providing leadership during Phoenix's critical second-half surge.

Her all-around performance helped set the tone for the Mercury's dominant effort.

Noemie Brochant Runs the Offense
Noemie Brochant controlled the game from the point guard position.

Brochant finished with 16 points and 10 assists, recording a double-double while orchestrating Phoenix's offensive attack. Her court vision and decision-making consistently put teammates in position to score.

The Mercury finished with 26 assists as a team, reflecting Brochant's impact on ball movement and offensive efficiency.

Kahleah Copper Continues to Produce
Kahleah Copper added 17 points and provided the aggressive scoring Phoenix needed throughout the contest.
Copper's ability to create offense off the dribble kept Seattle's defense under pressure and opened opportunities for the Mercury's supporting cast.

Whenever the Storm threatened to cut into the lead, Copper delivered timely baskets to maintain momentum.

Natasha Mack Controls the Glass
Natasha Mack recorded another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Her physical presence in the paint helped Phoenix dominate the rebounding battle 41-28. Mack's defensive energy also contributed to Phoenix's eight blocked shots, helping limit Seattle's scoring opportunities near the rim.

Lexi Held Shines in First Career Start
One of the night's most encouraging stories came from rookie Lexi Held.

Making her first career WNBA start, Held scored 11 points and displayed confidence well beyond her experience level.

Her contribution added another layer to Phoenix's balanced offensive attack and provided optimism for the franchise moving forward.

Team Effort Defines Victory
What made the victory particularly impressive was the overall team performance.

Phoenix shot 48.4% from the field, controlled the boards, shared the basketball, and played some of its strongest defensive basketball of the season.

The Mercury featured six players scoring in double figures, making it difficult for Seattle to focus on any single offensive threat.

Meanwhile, the Storm struggled offensively, shooting just 35.7% from the floor while being overwhelmed by Phoenix's defensive pressure and rebounding advantage.

Seattle Unable to Keep Pace
Natisha Hiedeman led Seattle with 20 points, while Flau'jae Johnson added 13.

Dominique Malonga and Zia Cooke each contributed 10 points, but the Storm were unable to generate consistent offense after the first quarter.

Seattle's inability to respond to Phoenix's third-quarter run ultimately sealed its fate.

What This Win Means for Phoenix
For the Mercury, this victory represented more than just another mark in the win column.

The performance demonstrated what Phoenix is capable of when the offense is balanced, the defense is active, and the team commits to sharing the basketball. After several frustrating losses, the Mercury finally put together a complete four-quarter effort.

If Phoenix can build on the energy and execution displayed against Seattle, Saturday's victory could become a turning point in the 2026 season.

The Mercury entered the night searching for answers.

​They left with a 20-point victory, renewed confidence, and a blueprint for future success.
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​Past Mercury Articles:
​Phoenix Mercury Collapse After Halftime in 86-76 Loss to Las Vegas Aces 
Phoenix Mercury Fall to Los Angeles Sparks in Overtime Despite Kahleah Copper's Career Night 

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