The Dallas Wings faced a tough challenge on Monday night, falling to the Phoenix Mercury with a final score of 72-102. This defeat marked a stark contrast to their previous encounter on July 3, where the Wings triumphed 98-89, fueled by a lineup featuring four rookies due to injuries.
In that earlier matchup, Paige Bueckers, Aziah James, JJ Quinerly, and Luisa Geiselosoder led the charge, combining for an impressive 68 points. James notably shone with a career-high 28 points. However, the same magic eluded them in this latest game against the Mercury.
Determined to avenge their earlier loss, the Mercury came out strong. Sami Whitcomb was particularly formidable, scoring 29 of her career-high 36 points in a blistering first quarter. The Mercury's shooting was on point, hitting 55% from the field and 50% from three-point range during that period. In contrast, the Wings struggled, managing only 40% from the field and a mere 20% from beyond the arc.
As the game progressed, the Wings' shooting woes continued, finishing the night at 36% overall, while the Mercury maintained nearly 48% accuracy. Despite the setback, Quinerly emerged as a bright spot for Dallas, recording a career-high 18 points along with four three-pointers. James contributed 15 points, and Bueckers added 11.
Reflecting on the game, Quinerly noted, "The three-ball started to fall, so that was good to see. But still took that loss. We definitely got to come back for that next game better than we did today."
The Wings have been navigating a challenging season without key starters Arike Ogunbowale, sidelined with a left thumb injury, and DiJonai Carrington, who has missed several games due to a rib injury. As it stands, Dallas holds a record of 6-14 for the season, while Phoenix improves to 13-6.
Looking ahead, the Wings will continue their road trip against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, July 9. The game is set to tip off at Wintrust Arena at 7 p.m. CT.
