The Phoenix Mercury (13-24) welcomed the Washington Mystics (22-15) on Tuesday night at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Phoenix sat 11th in the WNBA Standings, while Washington sat seventh.
Phoenix’s postseason ambitions were snatched away after a loss to the Atlanta Dream. As for the Mystics, they had already clinched a playoff spot and were looking to ride a heater to shoot up in the standings.
“We’re day to day,” Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson said. “We’re focusing on the moment for right now. Obviously, we’re happy that we clinched, but now we’re dealing with Phoenix; we’re dealing with Kelsey Plum getting her home debut. Right now, it’s enough for us to take it day by day.”
Despite the end of the season, the Mercury still had something to play for, as they were looking to finish high among the eliminated teams, as they didn’t own their first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Plum, who was given the all clear for tonight’s game, was traded from the Los Angeles Sparks to the Mercury for some draft capital, including Phoenix’s first-round pick this year and their 2028 second-round pick.
“She’s a true professional,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “She’s a leader, she’s extremely outgoing. She has a wonderful presence, injured or not injured. You know it when she walks in the room. She’s got a great vibe and spirit, and we needed it and we’re excited to have her.”
This would be Plum’s first home game as a member of the Mercury and was averaging 17.3 points per game and 3.3 assists per game prior to this game.
“Really exciting, getting her to play in front of the home crowd,” Tibbetts said. “It’s going to change a little bit of the rotation, but I’m really excited to get her back. It’s an exciting time to get her back especially at home.”
Despite Plum’s great play, there were also talks about her contract, as she would be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
As for the rest of the Mercury, Kahleah Copper led the team in scoring with 21 PPG, while Alyssa Thomas was averaging 8.3 APG and 7.7 rebounds per game.
“The best thing that we can do is try to have her be inefficient,” Johnson said regarding Copper. “It’s hard to win in this league. Every time (Phoenix) comes out on the floor, they’re a threat to play well. We’re going to need to probably switch up matchups at times and try to break her rhythm. If she’s as efficient as she was the other day, we’re in trouble.”
Against Atlanta, Thomas made history, becoming the first WNBA Player with 5,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists.
Phoenix also had the likes of Natasha Mack.
Before the game, DeWanna Bonner was bought out, officially ending her time in Phoenix.
“With professional sports, you got to be ready for everything,” Tibbetts said. “I would say it’s probably kind of been on par for the year. Our group has handled a big trade and a buyout. There are just years like this. I think our group has handled it well, just continuing to move forward.”
As for Washington, they had Sonia Citron, who was averaging 16.9 PPG and 4.2 APG, but more importantly, Phoenix had to deal with Shakira Austin.
Austin was averaging 17 PPG and 9.6 RPG prior to tonight’s game, and was coming off a career night, having dropped a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds against the Portland Fire in a 105-100 win.
“Shakira (Austin) is a showcaser,” Johnson said regarding Austin. “Shakira (Austin)’s been outstanding, I think the push for us is consistency. Day in and day out, that’ll bear results we think, each and every day.”
It didn’t help Phoenix that Washington was dealing with no injuries, while Sami Whitcomb (knee) was on Game-Time Decision.
Phoenix was playing for pride, while Washington was playing for postseason position.
Regardless, both teams would be looking to finish the season strong.
Before the game, Whitcomb was given the green light to play for Phoenix.
Midway through the first, Phoenix went on an 11-0 run.
Before a Mystics inbound, Copper was charged for a technical foul while being on the bench, possibly argued with a ref.
Copper grabbed her seventh technical foul. Not only would one more technical foul have her ejected, but also serve an automatic one-game suspension per the league rules.
Also midway through the first, Plum was subbed into a roaring crowd, seeing her first minutes with the Phoenix crowd.
“It was great,” Plum said. “I checked into the game, everyone’s been super welcoming. The fans have been awesome, and I appreciate that a lot.”
Washington didn’t take it lying down, as the Mystics stormed back with a 15-0 run, as Mercury went five minutes without scoring a point.
“The run at the end of the first quarter really hurt us,” Tibbetts said. “We had to come out the gates.”
Entering the second quarter, it was 24-15 in favor of the Mystics.
For the Mercury, it was a struggle, as Thomas led the way with six points alongside two rebounds and two assists.
The Mystics weren’t doing better in terms of points either, as Austin led the charge with five points, but they were shooting a respectable 50% from the floor.
Phoenix’s biggest weakness was the deep ball, as they were 1-for-7 when shooting from deep.
Early in the second, the Mystics went on a 9-2 run, leading to a Mercury timeout.
Entering the second half, the Mystics built a 51-33 lead.
Mack led the way with 10 points, while Thomas followed with eight points.
“I’m everywhere all the time,” Mack said. “I just try to be active whenever I can, I try to be standing still and just be active wherever I go get it.”
As for the Mystics, Kiki Iriafen led the way with 11 points while Betnijah Laney-Hamilton followed with nine points.
The Mercury continued to struggle, and the bench was another place where Washington dominated, as the Mystics outscored Phoenix’s bench 17 to two.
Plum hadn’t made a shot, going 0-for-5 from the floor.
Entering the fourth, things looked bleak, as Washington led 77-60.
Mack and Copper both had 15 points, while Thomas followed with 12 points for Phoenix.
Plum found her groove, grabbing 10 points off the bench.
“Nothing different,” Plum said. “Sometimes you make them, sometimes you don’t.”
As for the Mystics, Iriafen and Citron both had 16 points to boot, while Lauren Betts followed with 10 points.
Phoenix’s biggest struggle remained at the three-point line, as they were 2-for-14 from deep.
“We just need to raise our level of competitive spirit,” Tibbetts said. “Washington is a young team that plays their ass off. They’ll get after the ball; we need to raise our level of our competitive spirit on the ball.”
Thomas was called on a screen foul after what looked like a foul committed by Washington, and the Mercury decided to challenge the call.
After review, the challenge was deemed unsuccessful, as the Mystics kept the ball.
With eight minutes to go, the game looked all but over, as the Mystics were up 82-64.
Despite a late attempt, Washington never let their foot off the gas, winning 94-84.
For the Mercury, Mack and Copper both finished with 19 points, while Plum finished with 10 points.
For Mack, that marked her career-high in points.
“You got to give her a ton of credit,” Tibbetts said regarding Mack. “Washington is big and physical, I thought her conditioning was really good. The touch around the basket was great, really happy for her.”
Thomas got a double-double, grabbing 16 points and 10 assists.
As for the Mystics, Citron led the way with 19 points, while Austin finished with 16 points.
Iriafen also grabbed herself a double-double, with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mercury fall to 13-25 while the Mystics jump to 23-15.
The two teams will play again on Thursday night at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“We got to look at the good and bad tomorrow,” Tibbetts said. “To me, I’ll have to look at the tape. To me, we were soft on the ball. They made it tough for us.”