Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun Match Player Stats

The latest Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun match player stats show that Phoenix earned a 72–63 home victory on July 19, 2026. DeWanna Bonner led the Mercury with a season-high 21 points and six rebounds, while Kahleah Copper added 18 points. Brittney Griner paced Connecticut with 19 points, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa recorded a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double. Phoenix controlled most of the game, protected its lead during Connecticut’s late push, and ended a five-game losing streak.

Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun Match Overview

Phoenix entered the game looking for a response after losing 96–83 to Connecticut two days earlier. The Mercury delivered a much stronger defensive performance in the rematch, holding the Sun to 63 points and building an advantage in each of the first two quarters.

The 72–63 victory improved Phoenix’s record to 9–18. Connecticut dropped to 7–19 after failing to extend the momentum generated by its impressive win on July 17.

Game detail	Information
Matchup	Connecticut Sun vs Phoenix Mercury
Date	July 19, 2026
Venue	Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix
Final score	Phoenix Mercury 72, Connecticut Sun 63
Halftime score	Phoenix 43, Connecticut 33
Phoenix record after game	9–18
Connecticut record after game	7–19
Leading scorer	DeWanna Bonner, 21 points
Leading rebounder	Olivia Nelson-Ododa, 12 rebounds

Phoenix did not produce a high-scoring offensive performance, but the Mercury played with greater control than they had in the first game of the two-game set. Their experienced scorers made timely shots, while the defense prevented Connecticut from building an extended run.

Phoenix Mercury Player Stats and Top Performers

DeWanna Bonner: 21 Points and Six Rebounds

DeWanna Bonner delivered the most influential performance of the game. She scored a season-high 21 points and collected six rebounds, leading all players in scoring. Her production was especially valuable because the matchup remained competitive deep into the fourth quarter.

Bonner’s performance was not based only on volume. She supplied points when Phoenix needed to stop Connecticut’s momentum and contributed at the free-throw line during the closing stages. Her combination of length, shooting touch, experience, and composure made her the central figure in the Mercury victory.

Kahleah Copper: 18 Points, Four Rebounds and Four Assists

Kahleah Copper finished with 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Twelve of her 18 points came after halftime, giving Phoenix a reliable scoring option when Connecticut increased its defensive pressure.

Copper attacked gaps, reached the foul line, and helped the Mercury maintain their advantage during the second half. Her performance also showed that Phoenix did not have to depend entirely on Bonner. When the Sun adjusted toward the leading scorer, Copper was able to create offense from another area of the floor.

Alyssa Thomas: All-Around Impact

Alyssa Thomas did not lead the scoring column, but her presence remained important to Phoenix’s structure. She helped move the ball, supported the defensive rebounding effort, and gave the Mercury another physical defender against Connecticut’s frontcourt.

Thomas is most effective when she can influence several parts of the game rather than relying only on scoring. Her passing, strength and ability to initiate offense allowed Bonner and Copper to work from more favorable positions.

Phoenix’s Supporting Cast

The Mercury’s supporting players did not produce large individual point totals, but their contributions helped Phoenix stay organized. The team avoided becoming overly dependent on isolation possessions and received enough defensive activity from its rotation to keep Connecticut below 20 points in every quarter.

Phoenix also benefited from having multiple experienced players capable of handling late-game pressure. That stability became important when the Sun reduced the margin during the fourth quarter.

Connecticut Sun Player Stats and Top Performers

Brittney Griner: 19 Points, Five Rebounds and Two Blocks

Brittney Griner led Connecticut with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. She also finished with five rebounds and two blocks, giving the Sun an efficient interior scoring option and a defensive presence near the basket.

Griner was Connecticut’s most dependable scorer. She established deep position, finished efficiently around the rim, and forced Phoenix to protect the paint. However, the Sun were unable to create enough consistent perimeter offense around her performance.

Her 19 points kept Connecticut within reach, but the team needed more balanced scoring to overcome the early deficit.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa: 12 Points and 12 Rebounds

Olivia Nelson-Ododa recorded one of the strongest all-around stat lines of the matchup, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Her double-double gave Connecticut energy on the glass and another productive presence alongside Griner.

Nelson-Ododa’s rebounding helped limit some of Phoenix’s second-chance opportunities. She also contributed offensively without requiring a high number of possessions. Her development has become increasingly important for the Sun, particularly because she can rebound, defend and score efficiently around the basket.

Leila Lacan: Difficult Follow-Up Performance

Leila Lacan entered the rematch after scoring a career-high 26 points in Connecticut’s 96–83 victory on July 17. Phoenix made a much more effective defensive adjustment in the second meeting.

Lacan scored seven points on 2-of-9 shooting and committed a career-high nine turnovers. Her reduced efficiency was one of the clearest differences between the two games. Phoenix pressured her ball handling, closed passing lanes, and prevented her from controlling the game as she had two days earlier.

Connecticut’s Supporting Players

Connecticut needed stronger production from its perimeter rotation. Griner and Nelson-Ododa combined for a productive frontcourt performance, but the Sun struggled to consistently convert from outside or generate clean transition opportunities.

The team also committed 21 turnovers, its highest total of the season at that stage. Phoenix converted those mistakes into 22 points, turning Connecticut’s ball-security problems into one of the defining statistical advantages of the game.

Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun Player Comparison

Category	Phoenix Mercury leader	Connecticut Sun leader
Points	DeWanna Bonner — 21	Brittney Griner — 19
Secondary scoring	Kahleah Copper — 18	Olivia Nelson-Ododa — 12
Rebounds	DeWanna Bonner — 6 among confirmed leaders	Olivia Nelson-Ododa — 12
Assists	Copper contributed 4	Connecticut shared creation duties
Blocks	Phoenix used team defense	Brittney Griner — 2
Key efficiency	Bonner and Copper combined for 39 points	Griner shot 7-of-12
Major concern	Limited scoring beyond top options	21 team turnovers

The comparison shows that both teams received strong performances from their primary players. The larger difference came from how effectively those performances fit into the overall game.

Phoenix’s leading scorers complemented each other. Bonner established the scoring foundation, and Copper became more productive after halftime. Connecticut received efficient interior scoring, but its perimeter players struggled to protect the ball and consistently create open attempts.

Team Statistics That Decided the Game

Turnovers Favored Phoenix

The most important team statistic was Connecticut’s 21 turnovers. Phoenix scored 22 points from those mistakes, gaining nearly one-third of its total offense directly or indirectly through defensive pressure.

Turnovers matter beyond the immediate possession. They prevent a team from attempting a shot, create transition chances, and can disrupt offensive confidence. Connecticut’s nine-point defeat becomes easier to understand when viewed alongside its lost possessions.

Phoenix did not need exceptional shooting because the Mercury repeatedly created extra opportunities through defense.

Phoenix Controlled the First Half

Phoenix outscored Connecticut 18–12 in the opening quarter and 25–21 in the second. That gave the Mercury a 43–33 halftime lead.

The 10-point advantage forced Connecticut to spend the second half chasing the game. Although the Sun improved defensively after halftime, they never fully erased the early damage.

Connecticut Won the Third Quarter

The Sun responded after halftime by taking the third quarter 16–11. That reduced Phoenix’s lead from 10 points to five entering the fourth.

Connecticut’s improved defense slowed the Mercury and temporarily changed the game’s rhythm. However, the Sun could not turn that quarter into a complete comeback.

Phoenix Closed the Game More Effectively

The Mercury won the fourth quarter 18–14. Bonner and Copper produced important late points, while Phoenix protected the ball and made Connecticut work for its half-court opportunities.

The final quarter showed the value of veteran scorers. When the game tightened, Phoenix had two players capable of creating or finishing possessions without allowing the offense to become disorganized.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Breakdown

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Connecticut Sun	12	21	16	14	63
Phoenix Mercury	18	25	11	18	72

Phoenix established its control early by winning both first-half quarters. Connecticut produced its best stretch immediately after halftime, but Phoenix regained control in the fourth.

The scoring pattern also highlights the defensive nature of the matchup. Neither team reached 30 points in a quarter, and both experienced extended periods in which half-court execution became difficult.

Key Turning Points in the Game

Phoenix’s 10-Point Halftime Lead

The first major turning point was the Mercury’s ability to build a double-digit lead before halftime. Phoenix’s 25-point second quarter was the highest-scoring period by either team.

That offensive burst gave the Mercury room to absorb Connecticut’s third-quarter response without falling behind.

Defensive Adjustment Against Leila Lacan

Lacan was the central offensive figure in Connecticut’s July 17 victory, scoring 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting. In the rematch, Phoenix limited her to seven points and forced nine turnovers.

This was not a small statistical decline. It removed the player who had previously broken down Phoenix’s defense and forced Connecticut to rely more heavily on interior scoring.

Copper’s Second-Half Production

Copper scored 12 of her 18 points after halftime. Her timing mattered because the Mercury scored only 11 points in the third quarter.

When Phoenix needed another creator alongside Bonner, Copper attacked and supplied enough offense to prevent Connecticut from taking control.

Bonner’s Late-Game Composure

Bonner remained productive during the closing minutes and helped Phoenix extend the margin after Connecticut had reduced the deficit. Her ability to score and draw fouls made it difficult for the Sun to complete their comeback.

Why the Phoenix Mercury Won

Phoenix won because it corrected the problems that had allowed Connecticut to score 96 points two days earlier.

First, the Mercury applied more effective pressure to Connecticut’s guards. Lacan was unable to repeat her career-best performance, and the Sun committed 21 turnovers.

Second, Phoenix received a balanced scoring effort from Bonner and Copper. The pair combined for 39 of the Mercury’s 72 points.

Third, Phoenix created the stronger start. The early lead changed the pressure of the game and forced Connecticut to play from behind.

Finally, the Mercury executed better in the fourth quarter. The Sun came within striking distance, but Phoenix’s experienced players made the more important late-game plays.

How the July 19 Game Compared With the July 17 Meeting

The teams played twice in Phoenix within three days, but the games unfolded very differently.

Category	July 17 game	July 19 game
Winner	Connecticut Sun	Phoenix Mercury
Final score	Connecticut 96–83	Phoenix 72–63
Leading scorer	Leila Lacan, 26	DeWanna Bonner, 21
Connecticut offense	Efficient and balanced	Turnover-heavy
Phoenix defense	Allowed 50%+ shooting	Forced 21 turnovers
Game style	Faster, higher scoring	Slower, defensive
Deciding factor	Connecticut’s shooting and passing	Phoenix’s pressure and veteran scoring

Connecticut shot 52.2% from the field in the July 17 victory, recorded 24 assists, and received seven assists from Charlisse Leger-Walker. Phoenix shot 46.2% and could not consistently disrupt the Sun’s offensive rhythm.

Two days later, Phoenix changed the matchup by reducing Connecticut’s clean possessions. The Sun scored 33 fewer points than they had in the first game, while Lacan went from a 26-point breakthrough to a seven-point, nine-turnover performance.

The back-to-back results demonstrate how quickly a matchup can change when one team adjusts its defensive coverage and intensity.

What the Match Revealed About Phoenix

The victory showed that Phoenix could still win through defense even when the offense remained below its ideal level.

Bonner and Copper provided the scoring, but the larger positive was the team’s collective response after a five-game losing streak. Phoenix played with more discipline, defended the ball more aggressively, and remained composed when Connecticut cut into the lead.

The result did not solve every problem. Phoenix scored only 72 points and still experienced a difficult third quarter. However, ending the losing streak gave the team a practical example of how defense and ball control could compensate for inconsistent shooting.

What the Match Revealed About Connecticut

Connecticut’s frontcourt remained competitive. Griner scored efficiently, and Nelson-Ododa produced a double-double.

The difficulty came in the backcourt. The Sun could not reproduce the passing, shooting and decision-making that powered their July 17 win. Their 21 turnovers repeatedly interrupted possessions and allowed Phoenix to score without facing a set defense.

Connecticut’s two-game set against Phoenix therefore showed both sides of its potential. The Sun were capable of producing a 96-point offensive performance, but they were also vulnerable when opponents increased pressure on their primary ball handlers.

Most Important Player Takeaways

DeWanna Bonner Was the Game’s Most Valuable Performer

Bonner’s 21 points led all scorers, but her value extended beyond the total. She supplied timely offense, rebounded effectively and helped Phoenix close the game.

Kahleah Copper Changed the Second Half

Copper’s 12 second-half points gave Phoenix another reliable option when Connecticut adjusted defensively.

Brittney Griner Remained Efficient

Griner made seven of her 12 field-goal attempts and led Connecticut with 19 points. The Sun’s defeat was not the result of poor interior scoring.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa Controlled the Glass

Her 12 rebounds were the most recorded by a player in the game. The double-double strengthened an already productive Connecticut frontcourt.

Leila Lacan Faced the Biggest Statistical Decline

After scoring 26 points in the previous meeting, Lacan finished with seven points and nine turnovers. Phoenix’s adjustment against her was one of the largest reasons the result changed.

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Conclusion

The Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun match player stats tell the story of a disciplined Phoenix response. DeWanna Bonner led the way with 21 points, Kahleah Copper added 18, and the Mercury turned Connecticut’s 21 turnovers into a decisive advantage.

Connecticut received strong frontcourt production from Brittney Griner and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, but its backcourt could not repeat the efficiency displayed in the previous meeting. Phoenix built a 10-point halftime lead, survived the Sun’s third-quarter push, and closed the game with greater control.

The 72–63 result was more than a routine regular-season victory for the Mercury. It ended a five-game losing streak, reversed the outcome of the teams’ previous meeting, and demonstrated how defensive adjustments can completely change a matchup within two days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun game?

The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Connecticut Sun 72–63 on July 19, 2026, at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

Who scored the most points in the game?

DeWanna Bonner was the leading scorer with 21 points. It was her highest-scoring performance of the 2026 season at that point.

What were Kahleah Copper’s stats against Connecticut?

Kahleah Copper recorded 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. She scored 12 of her points after halftime.

How many points did Brittney Griner score?

Brittney Griner led the Connecticut Sun with 19 points. She shot 7-of-12 from the field and also contributed five rebounds and two blocks.

Who recorded a double-double?

Olivia Nelson-Ododa finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds for Connecticut.

What was the biggest statistical difference?

Connecticut committed 21 turnovers, and Phoenix scored 22 points from those mistakes. That turnover margin played a major role in the nine-point result.

What was the score at halftime?

Phoenix led Connecticut 43–33 at halftime after winning the first quarter 18–12 and the second quarter 25–21.

How did this result differ from the previous matchup?

Connecticut had defeated Phoenix 96–83 on July 17, 2026. Phoenix responded two days later by improving its defense, limiting Leila Lacan, and holding the Sun to 63 points.