Phoenix Mercury And Atlanta Dream Achieve Key Wins In WNBA Play On July 8, 2025

Add as a preferred source on Google

Sami Whitcomb delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a career-high 36 points, leading the Phoenix Mercury to a commanding 102-72 victory over the Dallas Wings. Whitcomb's shooting was exceptional, making seven out of 11 three-pointers and hitting 12 of 19 shots overall. This win helped Phoenix (13-6) bounce back from their previous loss to the Wings in Dallas.

Alyssa Thomas also shone for the Mercury, achieving her 16th career triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists. Kiana Williams contributed significantly off the bench with 17 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting. The Mercury's defense was effective in limiting Paige Bueckers, the top pick of 2025, to just 11 points as she struggled with her shooting.

The Dallas Wings (6-14) had been on a two-game winning streak before this match. JJ Quinerly led their scoring effort with 18 points, while Aziaha James added another 15 points. Despite these efforts, they couldn't keep up with Phoenix's offensive firepower.

Whitcomb's explosive start saw her score 19 points in the first quarter alone, propelling Phoenix to a strong lead of 28-19. She continued her scoring spree in the second quarter, adding another ten points as Phoenix extended their advantage to a comfortable half-time lead of 52-39.

The third quarter saw Phoenix put the game beyond doubt with a decisive 19-0 run that widened their lead to an insurmountable margin of 71-42. Whitcomb added seven more points during this period, surpassing her previous best single-game score of 30 points.

In another thrilling match-up, Allisha Gray's impressive fourth-quarter performance helped Atlanta Dream secure a comeback win against Golden State Valkyries. Gray scored a total of 24 points and was instrumental in Atlanta's decisive late-game surge.

Atlanta Dream's Comeback Victory

Trailing by six early in the fourth quarter, Atlanta launched a powerful rally with a crucial run of 20-4 that turned the game around. Naz Hillmon contributed eight key points during this stretch while Rhyne Howard added ten more in the final quarter to help Atlanta regain control.

Atlanta (12-7) moved closer to first place in the Eastern Conference standings following this victory. Despite Monique Billings' contribution of 19 points for Golden State (9-9), they suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Golden State initially took control with a strong first quarter led by Veronica Burton's three successful three-pointers. However, Atlanta responded with a significant run in the second quarter to take a narrow lead before Golden State regained it just before half-time.

Both games showcased remarkable individual performances and strategic team play that captivated fans and highlighted the competitive nature of these matchups.