Washington Mystics @ Phoenix Mercury
Copper and Taurasi score 20 each and Phoenix tops Washington 83-80
PHOENIX -- — Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi scored 20 points each and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 83-80 on Thursday night.
Natasha Cloud added 14 points and 10 assists and Sophie Cunningham scored 13 for the Mercury (3-1).
Ariel Atkins had 16 points to lead Washington (0-5), which has lost five consecutive games to open the season for this first time since the 2007 team started 0-8. Julie Vanloo scored 13 and Shakira Austin and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough added 11 points apiece.
After Austin hit two free throws that gave Washington a 46-45 lead with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter, Taurasi was fouled as she made a layup and hit the free throw before she hit a 3-pointer to spark a 15-0 Phoenix run.
Cloud found Natasha Mack for a short jumper, made 4 of 4 from the free-throw line and then set up a 3-pointer by Cunningham that capped the run and gave the Mercury a 60-46 lead.
Walker-Kimbrough hit a 3-pointer to end the Mystics' scoring drought of five-plus minutes. It was Washington's first field goal since Stefanie Dolson hit a 3-pointer 14 seconds into the second half.
Brittney Griner (foot) did not play for the Mercury.
Phoenix, which made 16 3-pointers on Tuesday in a 98-88 win over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, has won three games in a row. The Mercury lost their season opener, 89-80 to Las Vegas, and have responded with their longest win streak since June 2022.
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Matchups
Game Information
Phoenix, AZ
Referee:Amy Bonner
Referee:Angelica Suffren
Referee:Biniam Maru
2025-26 Standings
| Eastern Conference | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 5 | 2 | .714 | - | W1 |
| Indiana | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1 | L1 |
| New York | 5 | 4 | .556 | 1 | W2 |
| Toronto | 4 | 4 | .500 | 1.5 | W1 |
| Washington | 3 | 4 | .429 | 2 | L1 |
| Chicago | 3 | 5 | .375 | 2.5 | L4 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 8 | .111 | 5 | L3 |
| Western Conference | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 6 | 2 | .750 | - | W4 |
| Golden State | 5 | 2 | .714 | 0.5 | W2 |
| Dallas | 5 | 3 | .625 | 1 | W2 |
| Las Vegas | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.5 | L2 |
| Los Angeles | 4 | 3 | .571 | 1.5 | W3 |
| Portland | 5 | 4 | .556 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Seattle | 3 | 5 | .375 | 3 | L1 |
| Phoenix | 2 | 7 | .222 | 4.5 | L5 |
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