Phoenix Mercury looked to snap a two-game skid against the 6-13 Dallas Wings led by the rookie phenom Paige Bueckers.
Mercury came into the game missing their two leading scorers, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper while Dallas was missing their second leading scorer, Arike Ogunbowale.
Down their two leading scorers, Phoenix turned to sharpshooter Sami Whitcomb. Coming out hot from tip off, Whitcomb put up a quick eight points in three minutes including a 2/2 start from three. Ending the first quarter in a tie by herself with the Dallas Wings at 19.
Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas took the responsibility of guarding Dallas rookie Bueckers, quickly falling into foul trouble with two personal fouls.
“She knew we were going to be short-handed, she asked for that matchup,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbets said, with regard to having Thomas defend Bueckers.
Phoenix and Whitcomb continued their dominance as they took a 52-39 lead into halftime.
The Mercury began the third quarter on a 19-3 run holding the Wings to three points in the first six minutes of the third quarter.
As the game continued, Whitcomb continued to shoot the lights out, ending her night with a career high 36 points on 7/11 three-point shots. As Whitcomb shined, Thomas put up her 16th career triple double (first with Phoenix) with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists.
“When AT (Alyssa Thomas) finds you, and she’s telling you to shoot them, you’re going to shoot them,” Whitcomb said.
Dallas guard Bueckers struggled to find good looks all night as Mercury’s defense stood tall causing Bueckers to only score 11 points on 3/11 shooting and 3 turnovers, resulting in a plus/minus of -27. Wings guards JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James led the way for Dallas with 18 and 15 points respectfully.
Phoenix kept their foot on the gas outscoring Dallas 20-16 in the fourth quarter, resulting in a Mercury 30-point blowout, 102-72.