Key facts
- Paige Bueckers scored a season-high 31 points for the Dallas Wings.
- The Dallas Wings defeated the Phoenix Mercury 85-70.
- Jessica Shepard contributed 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
- Azzi Fudd also scored 17 points for the Dallas Wings.
- Lexi Held led the Phoenix Mercury with 17 points.
- Nneka Ogwumike scored 24 points in a previous Sparks victory.
- The Phoenix Mercury have a 4-10 record.
- The Dallas Wings have an 8-4 record.
Paige Bueckers scored a season-high 31 points, leading the Dallas Wings to an 85-70 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. Jessica Shepard contributed 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Azzi Fudd also added 17 points for the Wings. Lexi Held led the Mercury with 17 points.
Bueckers was dominant in the first half, scoring 24 points on 11-of-14 shooting, and the Wings led 45-33 at halftime. Dallas extended its advantage by outscoring Phoenix 25-16 in the third quarter. Despite the Mercury cutting the deficit to 80-70 late in the game, a crucial offensive foul and a subsequent three-point play by Li Yueru sealed the win for the Wings.
Bueckers' performance marked her third career 30-point game and the 17th such game in the WNBA this season. Shepard secured her 26th career double-double. For the Mercury, Kahleah Copper finished with 13 points, and Alyssa Thomas contributed six points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists.
In other news, Nneka Ogwumike scored 24 points in the Los Angeles Sparks’ 88-83 victory over the Seattle Storm. The Sparks are 4-3 in Western Conference play, while the Mercury are 3-6 against conference opponents. The Sparks won the previous matchup against the Mercury 97-88 on May 22, with Dearica Hamby scoring 27 points for Los Angeles and Alyssa Thomas leading Phoenix with 23 points.