Overview
- The Phoenix Mercury beat the Los Angeles Sparks 94-87 in a back-and-forth game played at USC's Galen Center on Tuesday, with Phoenix closing on an 8-0 run to finish the game.
- Kelsey Plum, who was traded from Los Angeles to Phoenix earlier in August, was ruled out with a lower left-leg injury and did not play against her former team.
- Noemie Brochant scored a career-high 24 points and had five steals to lead the Mercury's late surge while Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper provided key support down the stretch.
- Dearica Hamby was perfect from the field, going 8-for-8 for 19 points for the Sparks, but Los Angeles committed critical late turnovers and struggled against Phoenix's switch to a zone defense.
- The Sparks received Monique Akoa Makani and future draft picks in the Plum trade, both clubs remain near the bottom of the standings, and the result raises questions about rotations, free‑agent decisions and each team's fading playoff outlook.