Despite the loss, the defending champion New York Liberty became the fifth team to clinch a WNBA postseason berth, thanks to the Phoenix Mercury’s win against the Indiana Fever.
Alyssa Thomas was unstoppable once again — and so were the surging Phoenix Mercury.
Thomas flirted with a triple-double as the Mercury stretched their winning streak to five games, dispatching the visiting Indiana Fever, 85-79, in WNBA action on Wednesday, September 3 (PH time).
The Western Conference Player of the Week finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists to help playoff-bound Phoenix squad (26-14) force a three-way tie for second place in the standings with the Las Vegas Aces and the Atlanta Dream.
Satou Sabally added 13 points, while Kahleah Copper and Sami Whitcomb combined for 21 as the Mercury sealed the season series against the Fever, 2-1.
After a narrow 25-23 edge in the opening frame, Phoenix rode a dominant 29-16 second quarter before securing its 15th home victory of the season.
Kelsey Mitchell paced Indiana with 29 points, but the Fever dropped back-to-back games and fell to 22-20 overall.
The reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions now find themselves in a tight race with the Los Angeles Sparks (22-20) for the eighth and final playoff spot, with just one week remaining in the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries rolled to their third straight win, pulling off a 66-58 upset of the defending champion New York Liberty.
Temi Fagbenle led the way with 16 points as the Valkyries improved to 22-18 and boosted their playoff hopes.
Despite the loss, the Liberty — playing without injured star Sabrina Ionescu for the fourth straight game due to a toe injury — became the fifth team to clinch a playoff berth following Indiana’s loss to Phoenix.
Natasha Cloud and Breanna Stewart each scored 19 points, but New York slipped to 24-17 and has now dropped six of its last 10 games.