![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sami.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The Mercury\u2019s Sami Whitcomb holds up three fingers on each hand after a successful 3-pointer against the New York Liberty during the second quarter at PHX Arena on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Aryanna Frank\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2013 Despite splitting two games at home this past weekend, the Phoenix Mercury are now the sole owners of the second-best record in the WNBA heading into Thursday\u2019s matchup against Dallas.<\/p>\n
The Mercury made history Friday, becoming the first team to knock down 17 or more 3-pointers in back-to-back games. <\/p>\n
However, the Mercury were unable to secure the victory on Sunday against Las Vegas, after missing a pair of 3s late in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
The Mercury capped their historic shooting performance against New York by going 18 for 39 from beyond the arc, setting a new franchise record en route to their 106-91 win. They also tied a franchise record with 30 assists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you start making shots, teams have to close out,\u201d Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said. \u201cWe talked about it as a staff about 10 games in. We weren\u2019t shooting it as well as we thought we were going to. We felt like we had better shooters than that. We\u2019re confident in our shooting and we want them to take as many as they can.\u201d<\/p>\n
This game marked the 10th time this season the Mercury have buried nine or more 3-pointers in a game. This hot streak is headlined by Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb, who has made four or more 3-pointers in her last five games.<\/p>\n
Over that stretch, Whitcomb is shooting 51% from deep and averaging 16 points per game. Whitcomb, who started the season slowly from 3-point range, knew that the tide was going to turn in her favor eventually.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played basketball for a long time,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cYou make shots, you miss shots. You can\u2019t always control it. But I\u2019m going to prepare the same way and take the open shots. It was nice that everyone was encouraging me to shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mercury forward Satou Sabally noted how many shots she takes over the span of five weeks and how the practice gives her confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take like over 10,000 shots,\u201d Whitcomb said. \u201cSo, I wasn\u2019t really worried about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sabally, Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper combined for 54 points, 19 rebounds and 19 assists Thomas had a near triple-double, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and 15 assists.<\/p>\n
While the Mercury were breaking records on offense, they were equally as impressive on defense. The Mercury held the Liberty\u2019s high-scoring duo of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu to 26 points.<\/p>\n
Ionescu struggled from the field, scoring nine points on 2-for-9 shooting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we really competed (well) against Sabrina,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201c I didn\u2019t think our defense was as good as it\u2019s been. We\u2019ve kind of hung our hat on the defensive end. It\u2019s extremely important.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mercury looked to keep the momentum flowing Sunday against Las Vegas, but fell just short at the buzzer, losing 84-81.<\/p>\n
Reigning league Most Valuable Player A\u2019ja Wilson led the way for the Aces. She finished with 26 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and a steal in the win.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat players are going to have big nights,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cShe\u2019s one of the best in our league. Obviously, the free throws helped get her going. We needed to do a better job collectively against her.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a historically great shooting night on Friday, the Mercury struggled against the Aces, shooting 27 for 71 from the floor and 10 for 24 from 3-point range. Thomas led the way for the Mercury with 16 points. She was one of four Mercury players to score in double figures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were guarding the three well and we missed a lot of opportunities to get to the basket,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cYou want games like this. This is what the playoffs are going to be like. So definitely a learning lesson for us today.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mercury will have a chance to rest before their game against Dallas. The Mercury beat the Wings in Phoenix in their last meeting, 93-80. After their quick visit to the Lone Star State, they\u2019ll kick off a two-game homestand against the Wings and the Minnesota Lynx, starting on July 7.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll watch the film and try to make corrections,\u201d Tibbetts said. \u201cEvery team presents new challenges. We\u2019ll get a couple more days of practice and continue to try and get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Follow Cronkite News: Phoenix Sports on Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n