Connecticut faces Phoenix, aims to break 5-game slide

Phoenix Mercury (12-20, 7-10 Western Conference) at Connecticut Sun (7-23, 2-11 Eastern Conference)

Uncasville, Connecticut; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Connecticut Sun looks to stop its five-game losing streak when the Sun take on Phoenix Mercury.

The Sun have gone 4-10 at home. Connecticut is third in the Eastern Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 87.3 points while holding opponents to 46.4% shooting.

The Mercury have gone 7-10 away from home. Phoenix ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 31.3 rebounds per game led by Alyssa Thomas averaging 7.3.

Connecticut’s average of 5.5 made 3-pointers per game is 4.5 fewer made shots on average than the 10.0 per game Phoenix allows. Phoenix’s 44.4% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.0 percentage points lower than Connecticut has given up to its opponents (46.4%).

The two teams match up for the third time this season. The Mercury defeated the Sun 72-63 in their last meeting on July 19. DeWanna Bonner led the Mercury with 21 points, and Brittney Griner led the Sun with 19 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Leila Lacan is averaging 12.3 points, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals for the Sun. Olivia Nelson-Ododa is averaging 12.1 points over the last 10 games.

Thomas is averaging 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.4 assists for the Mercury. Kahleah Copper is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sun: 3-7, averaging 80.6 points, 31.3 rebounds, 20.4 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 88.8 points per game.

Mercury: 4-6, averaging 85.9 points, 29.5 rebounds, 21.8 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 92.3 points.

INJURIES: Sun: Aaliyah Edwards: day to day (knee), Brittney Griner: day to day (knee).

Mercury: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up