July 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, United States; Dallas JJ Quinely’s wings guard (11) goes to the basket while Phoenix Mercury Sami Whitcomb (33) defends during the second half at the College Park Center. Compulsory credit: Images of Kevin Jairaj-Imagn As JJ Quinerly said, Dallas’ recruit, the Wings “first struck” their 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury visiting Thursday.
The ball is in the Mercury courtyard when the teams meet for a revenge match on Monday in Phoenix.
“These are fun games, fun series,” said Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts. “When you have a consecutive team, especially the way they came after us. We will have to be ready to answer, and I believe in our group.”
The Wings (6-13) used a first quarter of 32 points to take an advance that he never lost on Thursday, a victory that equalized the series of the season in a match each after the Mercury resisted a performance of 35 points by Paige Bueckers in a 93-80 victory on June 11.
Bueckers collected 23 points and five assists and Aziaha James collected 28 career points, including five 3 points on Thursday, when the Wings began four recruits.
“We went out and struck first,” said Quinely, who collected 17 points and seven assists. “We mounted the ground quickly, we went into transition and obtained fast shots. It gave us confidence and we continued to build.”
Kahleah Copper collected a 33-point summit for the Mercury in his sixth match of the pre-season left knee surgery, and the old Satou wing scored 20 in his return from Dallas.
The Mercury made an 18 -point deficit at the end of the third period before the wings response.
“I thought they were extremely comfortable,” said Tibbetts. “And when you allow a team to play comfortable, it’s going to be a long night. We have to be more difficult on the defensive, that’s for sure.”
Dallas sent Mercury (12-6) to his second consecutive defeat while winning for the fifth time in seven games. The Wings drew 61% in the first half.
“We talked about playing 40 full minutes,” said Wings coach Chris Koclanes. “(Thursday) was not perfect, but he was close. We started hard, shared the ball, defended and trusted.”
Dallas goalkeeper Arike Ogunbowale missed his first game on Thursday with a thumb injury, and his teammate Dijonai Carrington was released with a rib injury. The two are among the usual beginners.
“We have always had it in us,” said Bueckers. “If you watch our games, we are still in it. Our file could be overthrown if we get better. We have had this belief, and now it meets. One given night, it can be someone’s night.”
– field level media