Connecticut Sun vs Phoenix Mercury
75 83
Photos By: Nancy J. Dagata
MERCURY MAGIC: Thomas & Held Power Phoenix Past Sun, 83–75 in Mohegan
Final Score: Phoenix Mercury 83, Connecticut Sun 75
Date: June 18, 2025 | Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Game Flow
Connecticut jumped out to a 9–22 first-quarter lead, flipping the script late in the opening period before Phoenix surged. Alyssa Thomas and Lexi Held choreographed a second-quarter rally, trimming the deficit to 40–39 at halftime. In a tightly contested third quarter, Phoenix flipped ahead by eight, and while the Sun clawed to within three early in Q4, Phoenix held firm. A late 9–3 run sealed the eight-point victory and snapped Connecticut’s six-game losing streak at home.
Star Performers
Phoenix Mercury
- Alyssa Thomas: 14 pts, 11 ast, 8 reb — Near triple-double; steady hand orchestrating the offense and hitting clutch passes.
- Lexi Held: 14 pts, 6-9 FG, key perimeter spark off the bench.
- Satou Sabally: 12 pts, 15 reb — Dominant on the boards, controlling possessions and second-chance opportunities.
Connecticut Sun
- Aneesah Morrow: 16 pts, 9 reb — Assertive inside scoring and timely boards in her breakout.
- Olivia Nelson‑Ododa: 10 pts, 14 reb — High motor, active on both ends, kept Connecticut in it.
- Marina Mabrey: 7 ast — Facilitated the ball but shot just 3‑12 from deep.
- Jacy Sheldon: 13 pts — Artful cameos between quarters, energizing the second unit.
Turning Point
With 6:23 left and the score tied 71-71, Phoenix ripped off a 9-3 run featuring back-to-back Held triples and a transition deuce by Thomas. That sequence swung final control firmly into Phoenix’s hands.
On Tour Magazine Analysis
- Veteran Calm vs. Rookie Fire: Thomas anchored with composure in crunch time, controlling tempo on the way to her near triple-double. Meanwhile, Morrow’s emergence kept Connecticut competitive, reinforcing the value of youth infusion in Meziane’s rebuild.
- Rebounding Battle: Phoenix held a decisive edge on the boards (47–40), largely thanks to Sabally’s presence — every offensive board shifted momentum and possessions.
- Perimeter Efficiency Closes the Door: Both squads hit ~34% from three, but Phoenix connected at more opportune moments, including three shots during the decisive fourth-quarter burst.
- Connecticut’s Fast-Break Misfire: Only eight fast-break points speaks to missed opportunity in transition — a vital area if the Sun want to reverse their home fortunes.
What’s Next
- Phoenix (9–4): Head to New York on June 19 to face the Liberty — an opportunity to climb even higher in league standings.
- Connecticut (2–10): Recovery stretch ahead — they visit Dallas on June 20, then face Golden State on June 22. Big games to test whether this result is a spark or a rare surge.
On Tour Magazine — bringing you deeper insight, not just results.